The newest recipients of the Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship

We are pleased to introduce the latest recipients of the prestigious Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship. Each of the five deserving students has been awarded a substantial scholarship that is renewable for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study at StFX.

Please join us in congratulating:

• Anica Bistretzan
• Mackenzie Chaisson
• Rachel Hawkins
• Rebecca Mesay
• Benton von Muehldorfer

About the Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship

The Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship was established in 1974 by Alberta alumni of St. Francis Xavier University. Its purpose is to encourage outstanding Alberta high school graduates to attend StFX University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. One of Dr. O'Connor's mantras was Community service or volunteering is the price you pay for the space you occupy! He was greatly involved in Calgary community affairs. In recognition of his business and community involvement, Dr. Ed O'Connor received an honorary doctorate from StFX. The honour was bestowed in 1974.

Hail and Health,

Oliver Munar '98

President, Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship Society
eocscholarship@stfx.ca

Tickets are going fast for the 2015 Family Lobster Dinner

Have you secured your tickets yet to our next alumni event? 

On Sunday 24 May, bring the family to the 2015 Family Lobster Dinner, hosted by the Calgary chapter! Tickets are only on sale until 14 May 2015! 

Our special guests include:

• Dr. Kent MacDonald '86 '93, President & Vice-Chancellor
• Mary Jessie MacLellan '87, Director of Alumni Affairs

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults: $65 each
• *Students: $45 each
• Current StFX students: $45 each
• **Recent StFX grads: $45
  *Students are aged 18 years and under as of 24 May 2015
  **Recent grads are classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015

Proceeds will support the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary and other alumni events put on by the chapter. Non-lobster meals and vegetarian option are available upon request.

To reserve tickets for you and your guests, visit https://secureca.imodules.com/s/650/standard.aspx?sid=650&gid=1&pgid=1798&cid=3324

See you at the Family Lobster Dinner!

Hail and Health,

Jeff Paddon '09 & Alexia Tedesco '09
Co-Presidents, Calgary chapter
StFX Alumni Association
Email: calgarychapter@stfx.ca  |  Twitter: @StFXCgyChapter
Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn

X-Woman up for CIS Female Athlete of the Year

Calling all Xaverians!!!

Emma Taylor of our national champion X-Rugby team is up for CIS Female Athlete of the Year! However, she needs all our help!

Visit http://en.cis-sic.ca/blg_awards/2014-15/poll and vote for Emma today and everyday! Let's show Canada the power of the StFX Alumni network!

#GoXGo

NOW AVAILABLE > Tickets to the 2015 Family Lobster Boil

Tickets are now available for the Family Lobster Dinner – hosted by the Calgary alumni chapter! Proceeds from the dinner support the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary.

The event is open to all StFX alumni, family and friends! Our special guest is coming from all the way from Antigonish: Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93, StFX President and Vice-Chancellor!

We have early-bird pricing for Adult admission – arrange your tickets before 30 April 2015!

WHO: All StFX Alumni, family and friends
WHEN: 5 PM, Sunday 24 May 2015
WHERE: Below Deck (221 – 8 Avenue SW)

PRICES:

Adults (aged 19 years and up):

$55 each – before 30 April 2015

$65 each – beginning 01 May 2015

Recent StFX grads (classes of ’13, ’14 & ’15 only):

$45 each

Current StFX students:

$45 each

Minors (aged 18 years and under, as of 24 May 2015):

$45 each

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Finally, if you know someone who’s not on our distribution, have them email us right away (calgarychapter@stfx.ca)! Nobody should miss this event!

See you there! Hail and Health!

Jeff Paddon ’09 and Alexia Tedesco ‘09

Co-Presidents, Calgary Chapter

StFX Alumni Association

Web: stfxcalgary.blogspot.ca  |  Email: calgarychapter@stfx.ca

Twitter: @StFXCgyChapter  |  Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn!

Family Lobster Dinner with Dr. Kent MacDonald

Calling all Xaverians!

Join your Calgary chapter for some succulent lobster, crisp corn-on-the-cob and more! The Family Lobster Dinner is back!

This year, our special guest is Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93, President and Vice-Chancellor of StFX!

Prices and location will be communicated in a future email so if you know someone who’s not on our distribution, have them contact us right away (calgarychapter@stfx.ca). We will have early-bird pricing and deals for current StFX students and recent grads so you won’t want to miss out!

WHO: All StFX Alumni, family and friends
WHEN: Sunday 24 May 2015
TIME: 5 PM

Hail and Health!

Jeff Paddon ’09 and Lexi Tedesco ‘09
Co-Presidents, Calgary Chapter
StFX Alumni Association
Web: stfxcalgary.blogspot.ca
Email: calgarychapter@stfx.ca
Twitter: @StFXCgyChapter
Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn!

X-Women Hockey competes at the national championships in Calgary!

Calling all Xaverians and fans of X-Women Hockey!

Come to an alumni and friends reception and wish the X-Women well as they vie for a national championship!

• WHEN: Thursday 12 March
• TIME: 6:30 pm
• WHERE: Jasper II Room, Four Points by Sheraton Calgary West (8220 Bowridge Crescent NW)

The X-Women, 2015 AUS champions, are seeded #4 for the tournament. They open the championship tournament on Thursday 12 March at 3 pm against the University of Guelph. All the action takes place at the Markin MacPhail Centre at Winsport Canada Olympic Park.

Go X Go!

StFX Student Information Night

Do you know a student who is considering options for post-secondary education?

Join StFX Recruitment and Admissions at the annual Student Information Night in Calgary! Learn more about StFX, Canada's Premier Undergraduate Experience, including admission requirements and opportunities to apply for scholarships and bursaries.

• THURSDAY 19 February
• 7:00 - 9:00 pm
• Nakiska Room, Delta South
  135 Southland Drive SE

To RSVP, contact Matthew Dolansky, StFX Admissions Advisor, at mdolansk@stfx.ca.

Celebrate StFX Day in Calgary!

StFX Day 2014 is almost upon us! Have you RSVPed for either or both of our chapter events yet?

Details are on the graphic below. CLICK THE GRAPHIC (or CLICK HERE) to RSVP. For more information, please contact Oliver at 403 816 4904 or at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.

Hail and Health!

A Homecoming 2014 message from the local chapter President

Fellow Xaverians,

On behalf of your local chapter team, I hope you had an excellent Homecoming weekend. Whether you were in Calgary or Antigonish, I hope this weekend was full of good times and fond memories of StFX.

Meet the new StFX President in Calgary!

I was in Antigonish and believe me, there is a lot going on at StFX that is definitely worth sharing with you all. But how about hear it all from Dr. Kent MacDonald '86 '93, our newest President and Vice-Chancellor? Dr. MacDonald will be in Calgary on Friday 07 November and we are holding a reception in his honour in downtown Calgary. We're just putting the finishing touches on the venue but be sure to RSVP your spot on the guest list today.

RSVP for the President's Reception
on Friday 07 November 2014

Lots for our chapter to celebrate

• Congratulations to Val Turkunova-Rausch '18, who has been named the newest recipient of the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary. Val is currently in a Bachelor of Science program with aspirations to pursue veterinary medicine after StFX.

• Thank you to Joy Romero '77 for a generous gift to StFX that resulted in the purchase of much needed equipment in the Material Testing Lab, located in the Physical Sciences building. Over the weekend, StFX dedicated a lab in her honour at a ceremony on Saturday morning. So next time you're in Antigonish, check out the new Joy Romero Material Testing Lab.
  
  
  
• Congratulations to Dave Bernatchez '85 who was inducted into the StFX Alumni Association's Hall of Honour. Dave has been an incredible mentor to so many Xaverians - including myself - and continues to live the values of our alma mater: Whatsoever Things Be True. Congratulations, Dave, on a well-deserved and long overdue honour.

Thanks and acknowledgements

• To the current students attending StFX, many of whom took the time out of their busy schedules to meet with myself, Phil Markovich '85 and Lexi Tedesco '09 at the Golden X Inn. We were able to catch up on the first few weeks of the new year and, in the process, make the Calgary crew really make its presence known!
• To Andrew Gannon '06, for working with X-Athletics to organize a fantastic Homecoming celebration in Calgary on Saturday 04 October. The festivities included watching the game live at Booker's, followed by a spirited pub crawl that evening.
• To Phil Markovich '85, for completing his three-year term as a member-at-large on the Alumni Council. Phil's leadership and expertise are wonderful additions to the Council and he will certainly be missed.
• To Jay Donlevy '92, who has decided to step back from the chapter executive team after many years in a leadership role. Thanks for everything you have done for the chapter, Jay! Your leadership and ideas around the planning table will certainly be missed, although we know you won't be venturing too far.

Looking ahead

We need your help and enthusiasm to keep our chapter strong.

• Recommend more welcome additions to our Xaverian family! StFX thrives on attracting the best and the brightest students to grace its halls, and that process starts with all of us as alumni. Support our Recruitment effort with three simple steps: (1) Know the latest StFX facts, (2) Talk about StFX, and (3) Connect the student with our Admissions Team. CLICK HERE for more information about how you can help recruit.
  
• Recommend StFX on LinkedIn! Still love StFX? If you're on LinkedIn, write a recommendation for alma mater! LinkedIn is an incredible social media application that definitely helps to enhance the reputation of StFX. In addition, LinkedIn is a great resource for current students and recent grads to start networking, and we definitely need alumni support to make sure that our younger Xaverians can tap into the strong alumni network that separates StFX from the rest. CLICK HERE to recommend StFX to your LinkedIn network.
• Help us with our events! We have a strong crew of volunteers to help us with our events but many hands make for light work. Our events for 2014-15 include a President's Reception, StFX Day festivities, a Student Information Night, Student Send-off, and a National Dinner (details on the National Dinner will come soon enough...!). Contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca if you can lend a helping hand.

Finally, after almost four years as your chapter leader, I have decided to pass the reins to a new team. I hope you'll join me in supporting Jeff Paddon '09 and Lexi Tedesco '09 as they bring their own flavour and energy to the chapter leadership. Jeff and Lexi will succeed me on 01 January 2015. Thanks to you all for your continued support of the chapter and its activities!

Hail and Health,

Oliver Munar '98
President, Calgary chapter
StFX Alumni Association

Calgary grad to be inducted into the StFX Alumni Association Hall of Honour

Hello fellow Xaverians, 

As we embark on another Stampede, I have some great news to pass along. The Alumni Association has named Calgary's own Dave Bernatchez '85 among the inductees to the StFX Alumni Association Hall of Honour this year.

Dave is a former chapter president in Calgary and a former member of the StFX Board of Governors. He remains highly active both in our local Xaverian community as well as with X-Athletics and the Coady International Institute.

The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday 04 October in Antigonish during the annual Homecoming festivities. Please join me in congratulating Dave on this incredible honour!

Hail and Health!

Oliver Munar '98

President, Calgary chapter

StFX Alumni Association

Student Send-off 2014

OFFER EXTENDED: Family Lobster Dinner (30 May 2014)

Great news, fellow Xaverians! 

Due to popular demand, we are extending the deadline for you to get tickets for the Family Lobster Dinner on Friday night! That means tickets are still available. 

Who to invite / who can come 

• The event is open to all StFX alumni, current StFX students, and both their family and friends. Dinner is at 6:30 pm at the Crescent Heights Community Centre (1101 - 2nd Street NW). The event is perfect for: 
• Lobster lovers - especially if they are from the Maritimes or went to school in the Maritimes 
• Families who are considering sending their child/children to StFX in the near future 
• Families who can't find a babysitter - there's a huge park next to the hall where the kids can run and play 
• Guests who bought a single ticket but didn't know non-StFXers could attend 
• Friends of StFX

We will accept lobster dinner orders as late as Tuesday.

Ticket prices

• General admission: $65 
• Current StFX students: $40 
• StFX Class of 2014 graduates: $40 
• Volunteers: $35 
• Children 10 and under: FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)

How to pay for your dinner tickets

• Send an INTERAC payment (via your respective online banking service) to calgarychapter@stfx.ca 
• Arrange to meet a chapter executive in person (their email addresses are below). We will accept payments in cash or by cheque (payable to StFX University Alumni Association - Calgary chapter) 
• Contact Oliver Munar at 403-816-4904 to arrange a payment via credit card

Ticket proceeds will go toward future chapter events and to the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary, an award the chapter gives out annually to a deserving student entering his/her first year of post-secondary study at StFX.

What if I can't come for the dinner but can come for the live music?

Admission is $10 per guest and can be paid at the door. Admission for the live music will be open at 8:30 pm.

Dress code

Dress code, schmesh code... think tables covered in newspaper, bibs and claw crackers. This is a casual, fun get-together so don't worry about dressing in your best. Besides, we have a house band - Haggis, who will be playing some great Celtic music beginning at 9 pm - so you'll need to be comfortable.

Additional questions?

Contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.

See you Friday night!

Hail and Health,

Your Calgary chapter team:

• Oliver Munar '98, President (formerjourno@me.com)
• Jay Donlevy '92, Past-president (donlevy@hotmail.com)
• Phil Markovich '85 (p.markovich@shaw.ca) 
• Claire Barry '01 (Claire.Barry@shell.com) 
• Sarah Kinch '07 (kinchsms@gmail.com) 
• Jeff Paddon '09 (jeffpaddon@gmail.com)
• Lexi Tedesco '09 (alexiatedesco@gmail.com)
• Mike Brain '10 (mr.mikebrain@gmail.com) 

Dr. Kent MacDonald '86 '93 named President and Vice-Chancellor of StFX University

To the StFX Community,

On behalf of the Board of Governors and the Presidential Selection Committee, it’s my privilege to announce Dr. Kent MacDonald as StFX University’s 18th President and Vice-Chancellor.

The Board of Governors and the Presidential Selection Committee conducted a thorough and comprehensive search to identify a President and Vice-Chancellor who embodies the academic experience, values, and leadership skills necessary to be president of one of the best institutions in the country. The selection of Dr. MacDonald concludes an eight-month international search in which the Board received expressions of interest from across North America and beyond.

Dr. MacDonald was born in Halifax and raised in New Glasgow. He is a graduate of StFX with a Master of Education in 1993, and a Bachelor of Science, Physical Education, in 1986. He completed his Doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania where his research focused on higher education management. He also holds an MBA from Université d'Ottawa.

Dr. MacDonald is currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Algonquin College, an institution with over 20,000 students and campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke, Saudi Arabia, and a newly constructed campus in Kuwait that will be opening later this year. He has held increasingly complex roles within higher education, having served as an Academic Chair; Dean, School of Business; Executive Director, Strategy and Business Development; Vice President, Student Services and Development; and Vice President Academic.

He brings a deep understanding of higher education enrolment management and the pragmatic application of digital technologies in the learning environment. He has lectured and addressed audiences in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In addition to his post-secondary academic pursuits, Dr. MacDonald has led private sector and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario and has been a teacher in the K-12 system in Canada and New Zealand.

Dr. MacDonald is married to Mary-Ellen MacPhee, also a StFX graduate, and they have four children: Adam, a 2013 StFX graduate; Matthew, a junior at Algonquin College; Meagan enrolled in her first year at StFX; and Patrick, a junior at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville, ON.

Dr. MacDonald assumes his duties as StFX President and Vice-Chancellor on August 1, 2014, after nearly two decades of unprecedented growth and momentum under the leadership of Dr. Sean Riley.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the members of the StFX Presidential Committee for their tireless work over the last eight months. A very heartfelt thank you to Rob Bennett, Dr. William Sweet, Kim West, Angus MacIsaac, Dr. Charmaine McPherson, and Ben Gunn-Doerge. Working alongside such talented and dedicated individuals was truly inspiring.


Mark Wallace
Chair, StFX Board of Governors
Chair, StFX Presidential Committee

SAVE THE DATES

Hello fellow Xaverians!

Your Calgary chapter team has a lot on the go over the coming months. Here's a sneak peek so you can book your calendars now!

• FAMILY LOBSTER DINNER: Friday 30 MayBack by popular demand, we're holding another Family Lobster Dinner for StFX alumni, current students, family and friends. No need for the suit and tie - think bibs and a lot of newspaper - as you enjoy succulent lobster with your extended Xaverian family!

• $65 general admission, $40 for current StFX students, $40 for Class of 2014 graduates, $35 for volunteers - if you can volunteer, please drop the chapter a line at calgarychapter@stfx.ca
  More details to come so stay tuned!
  
• CASINO FUNDRAISER for the Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship: Friday 07 & Saturday 08 June
  The Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship is a prestigious renewable scholarship offered to students from Alberta to attend StFX. The casino fundraiser helps the scholarship society to continue sending the best and brightest students from Alberta to attend StFX.
  
  We need volunteers to cover the various shifts over the course of the two days, from chip runner to cashier to count room. If you can spare a few hours on a Friday or Saturday (day or night), please email the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.
  
• STUDENT SEND-OFF: Sunday 22 June
  One of the anchors of our calendar, the Student Send-off is reserved for new StFX students, their families, and a smattering of alumni and current StFX students. Our special guest will be Matt Dolansky '13, the StFX Admissions Advisor based in Calgary. If you are a current StFX and would like to attend, please contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.
  
• STAMPEDE PARTY: Wednesday 09 July
  We have a date and we're just finalizing the venue! Come enjoy the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' with fellow alumni, family and friends! More details to come so stay tuned!
  
• FAMILY HIKE & PICNIC: August
  The chapter is currently investigating family-friendly trails in either Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park. Have any ideas? The trail should be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and kids of all walking ages. Send your ideas to the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca - we'll provide the watermelon and the bottled water!

Again, we could use some volunteers to help us with these events. If you have some time to spare, please contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca and we'll put you on our 'will call' list.

Hail and Health,

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

NEXT EVENTS: StFX Day in Calgary

Fellow Xaverians,

You, your family and friends are cordially invited to celebrate StFX Day in Calgary!

Your local alumni chapter has two different events for you to attend:

• Feast Day of St Francis Xavier: Mass & Reception
  Our annual tradition continues with Mass being celebrated at 7 pm. This year, Mass will be celebrated at the newly renovated Sacred Heart Parish (1307 - 14 Street SW). The reception will begin immediately following the Mass in the very spacious narthex / hospitality area.
  
  Fr. Bill Stephenson will again lead us in prayer, but we could definitely use more volunteers for the various tasks during the Mass, including music ministry, readings and gift bearing. Please contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca if you can help.
  
  We'll also have some great StFX prizes to give away at the reception!
  
  
• StFX Day Alumni Pub Night
  We have some space reserved at the Rose & Crown (1503 - 4 St SW) for those who want to reminisce with fellow Xaverians and friends on a Tuesday night. While the formal reception begins at 7:30 pm, feel free to show up anytime after 6 pm.

Please spread the word to your family and friends. We look forward to seeing you!

Hail and Health,



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

THANK YOU: President's Reception in Calgary (10 October 2013)

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the rain to join us at a President's Reception on Thursday night. We had close to 130 people spend a casual evening with Dr. Sean Riley (StFX President & Vice-Chancellor), Tim Lang (VP Advancement) and Wendy Langley (Director of Development). A huge thank you to Geoffrey MacNeil '09 who helped the chapter set up the reception at the Chicago Chophouse.

As head of the local alumni chapter, it is really heartwarming for me to see alumni from across so many generations come together. We had representation from the class of 1958 to the class of 2013 and even a prospective student! It's also great to meet alumni who are coming to their first alumni event. After all, the success of our events is because of your continuing support. And while there wasn't a lot of work that needed to be done to pull this event together, our hope is that you all had a great time mixing, mingling and reconnecting with Dr. Riley.

Here are some pictures from my camera to commemorate the evening. If you have any to share, please email them to calgarychapter@stfx.ca. 

A packed house at the Chicago Chophouse, despite the rain.

Dr. Riley reminding everyone that just because he's retiring, there's
still lots to do, and that he'll still be around.

Listening to Dr. Riley speak

Listening to Dr. Riley speak

Various generations of alumni came together for the
President's Reception. Part of Dr. Riley's magic, perhaps?

Dr. Riley with Oliver Munar, president of the local alumni chapter

Stay tuned for our next event: StFX Day. It's a Tuesday this year so make sure your calendar is clear!

Hail and Health,

Oliver Munar '98
President, Calgary chapter
StFX Alumni Association

What makes an ideal President & Vice-Chancellor of StFX?

Good morning fellow Xaverians:

On behalf of Mark Wallace '80, Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, this is a friendly reminder that TODAY (27 September 2013) is the last day for you to have your say on what you'd like to see in the next President and Vice-Chancellor of StFX.

After 18 years of service, Dr. Sean Riley will step down as President and Vice Chancellor of StFX in the spring of 2014. A Presidential Selection Committee has been established to find a new president. One of the Committee’s first tasks is to develop a position profile for the next President and Vice Chancellor.

To have your say, click the following link (or copy/paste it into your browser), which will take you to a site run by Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, who have been retained to assist the committee: http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/255082/1e209725a1/0 

If the link doesn't work, please visit http://sites.stfx.ca/presidentialsearch/Community_Feedback_E-Survey and click Community Feedback E-Survey along the left-hand side. 

Thank you in advance for participating in this very important survey.


Hail and Health,


Oliver Munar '98
President, Calgary chapter
StFX Alumni Association

President's Reception in Calgary: Thursday 10 October 2013

StFX Homecoming in Calgary: Saturday 05 October 2013

Can't make it to Antigonish for Homecoming 2013? Let Homecoming come to you! Details below: RSVP by Friday 20 September 2013 at www.alumni.stfx.ca/calgaryhomecoming. 

SAVE THE DATE: StFX Homecoming in Calgary

Hello fellow X-Men and X-Women:

Can't make it to Antigonish for Homecoming this year?

This year, let Homecoming come to you!

On Saturday, October 5th, join fellow alumni and friends to watch the Homecoming game between StFX and Mt. Allison. Kickoff is 11 am Calgary time (2 pm in Antigonish). And after the game, we invite you to come with us to McMahon Stadium to watch the Calgary Stampeders battle the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, starting at 4:30 pm! It'll be a full day of football and fun times.

Stay tuned to the Calgary chapter website (stfxcalgary.blogspot.ca), Facebook page and Twitter feed (@StFXCgyChapter) as more details become available. But for now, keep Saturday, October 5th free!

For more information, please contact either the chapter (calgarychapter@stfx.ca) or Andrew Gannon '06.


Your StFX Calgary chapter team