Class Notes
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Class of 1968, 2009
Congratulation to Steve Armitage BA’68 LLD’09 on being inducted into the CBC Sports Hall of Fame! A student at Saint Mary's from 1964 until 1968, his years at the university were memorable—playing on some of the best Huskies football teams ever, including the 1964 team that ended a 47-game winning streak by St. Francis Xavier University, en route to an Atlantic Bowl championship, the first in the university's history. He was inducted in the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame as a member of that 1964 team in 1999. He began work at CBC on a part-time basis in Halifax in the spring of 1965, writing—not reading—the CBC late-night sportscast. After that, his CBC career has taken him across Canada and around the globe as he covered some of the biggest sporting events in history—everything from Hockey Night in Canada and Grey Cup championships, to the World Cup of Soccer and 13 Olympics (winter and summer). Steve is now retired.
Class of 1986-1988
Every summer since 2010, four former starting defensive backs for Larry Uteck’s football Huskies get together in Halifax for a small reunion. It’s nice to see Saint Mary’s bringing people together long after they leave the university.
From left to right: Mike Brown MA'87, #14 Right Cornerback (1984-'87) Dale McClare MA'87, #44 Right Safety (1983-'87) Ken McOnie BComm'86, #23 Left Safety (1983-'86) Mike O'Brien BA'88, Left Corner (1984-1988)
Class of 1971, 2013
SMU alumnus and Honorary degree recipient Senator Terry Mercer BA'71 LLD'13 was honoured by the Senate of Canada on May 5 to acknowledge his retirement. Several senators paid tribute to Senator Mercer, including the Honourable Stan Kutcher, who highlighted that Terry attended Saint Mary's University, where he met his wife, Ellen. He was recognized for his passion, work in the chamber, and service to the people of Nova Scotia and all Canadians.
Class of 1997
Katrina Lopes BA’97 has started a new Mentorship Program for Black musicians in Nova Scotia. She's never truly left the community, though, unofficially championing African Nova Scotian and Black artists in the province from her Toronto base for years. But this year, Lopes has officially approached music industry associations with a plan to create infrastructure for artists who have systemically fallen through the cracks. "There wasn't really anyone for me to look up to when I was coming up," she continued. "So I just want to help provide access and open doors and help other people win because I didn't have that."
Class of 2000
Congratulations to Brenda Cohen BA'00 on releasing her first book, Trading Pizza for Raman. The middle-grade novel explores the struggles of an overseas move and the shock of a new culture told from the point of view of a 13-year-old boy.
Class of 2005
On December 12, 2022, Jarvis Googoo BA’05 received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for his work in sharing and promoting Mi’kmaw Education
News in 2022
President Robert Summerby-Murray, has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for "exceptional qualities and outstanding service to our Province in the field of Education."
The award was presented by the lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, KC, at a ceremony held at Government House on October 18, 2022. The commemorative medal is presented in honour of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s succession to the throne. It is awarded to residents of Nova Scotia who have made significant contributions to Canada, Nova Scotia, their community, or their fellow citizens.
