Giving back to the game
Adam Miller BA’14 and fellow student-athlete alumni make their mark with the Men’s Soccer Alumni Marathon Award
By Krista Keough
A visit "back home" last December marked the beginning of something special for alumni and former Huskies men's soccer player Adam Miller BA'14.
While reconnecting with his old teammates in Halifax, they began discussing Saint Mary’s and how the men’s soccer program had impacted their lives. That conversation sparked the idea for the Men’s Soccer Alumni Marathon Award.
“We have always wanted to give back to the program and school that gave us such incredible experiences, lessons and ultimately some of the best times of our lives,” Miller shared.
After contacting the Office of Advancement at Saint Mary’s and spreading the word on social media, Miller and his peers reached out to other former student-athletes to help bring their vision for the award to life. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 13 alumni coming together to establish the initial fund.
As for the name, it was inspired by former teammate Mohammed Shamout BComm'12.
“Moe was extremely generous in his donation,” Miller says. “He suggested the name, and to quote his reasoning: ‘Life is not a race; it’s a marathon. Consistency and discipline are the keys to success.’”
For Miller, who was recruited from England to play for Saint Mary’s and now serves as the manager of high performance at Soccer Nova Scotia, his connection to the soccer community is deeply personal. Since graduating a decade ago, he has sought a way to offer others the same opportunities he had.
“I was lucky enough to receive financial aid from awards and alumni. Without that support, there’s no way I would have been able to survive in a new country. It was essential for making sure I could eat, go to school, start my professional career and meet some of my best friends.”
A central figure during their time at Saint Mary’s was retired Huskies coach and 2015 Sport Hall of Fame inductee, Stewart Galloway. As Miller put it, “Stew is a Saint Mary’s legend.” Under Galloway’s leadership, the men’s soccer program didn't just develop successful players, but also successful people.
The Men’s Soccer Alumni Marathon Award is designed to support full-time undergraduate students who are members of the Men’s Varsity Soccer team. “The term ‘student-athlete’ includes ‘student’ first, and that is so important,” Miller emphasized.
In addition to academic and athletic achievement, recipients must demonstrate leadership and a commitment to creating positive change.
“We hope that the person who receives this award will not only use it to improve as a soccer player but also to complete their degree, help their community—and maybe even join us in giving back to the program once they’re done!”
For Miller and those behind the initiative, this is just the beginning. He noted that they aim to grow their list of donors, potentially develop other awards and bring people together for events.
“It’s been an honour to help Coach Mesut and Saint Mary’s support today’s varsity athletes. We’re all looking forward to seeing the first recipient of the Men’s Soccer Alumni Marathon Award succeed on and off the field.”
For more information about how to get involved or to make a donation, contact Adam Miller at AdamMiller22@hotmail.co.uk or Michelle MacMullin, Manager, Annual Giving at Saint Mary’s at Michelle.MacMullin@smu.ca.
Food for thought
After nearly a decade in the making, the SMU Community Food Room is about more than just providing food–it’s about building a caring community.
By Krista Keough
Simba Chiunda, Saint Mary's Student Association (SMUSA) President holding donated food items in the Campus Food Room.
In the summer of 2015, alumnus Allen Wolfe BA’09 took action to address a growing need. While working as a financial aid and awards officer at Saint Mary’s, he noticed an increasing number of students seeking resources to afford meals.
Determined to help, he researched food banks and rallied a group of like-minded individuals to create the SMU Community Food Room–an initiative that has since become a vital lifeline for thousands on campus and in the local community.
Wolfe credits the early success of the project to the dedication of volunteers and various offices at Saint Mary’s, with strong support from Feed Nova Scotia.
“Students like Karla Rafuse BA’17, Nishka Rajesh BA’19 and Spencer Wiechert BComm’19 took the lead during the first two years, ensuring the shelves stayed full,” said Wolfe. “I’m immensely grateful to staff like Mary Ann Daye from SMU Alumni and Cathie Ross from SMUSA, whose commitment has ensured its continued success.”
With over a decade of experience at Saint Mary’s University and the University of Alberta, where he now works in recruitment services, Wolfe brings a unique perspective on the diverse needs of learners from coast to coast.
“Many of the challenges students faced in 2015, like rising costs for basic needs, have only intensified, while wages haven’t kept pace with inflation,” he said. “I’ve seen this trend across universities in Canada, and food insecurity remains a significant issue.”
Wolfe believes that programs like the SMU Community Food Room are more important than ever, not only because they provide essential resources but also because they create a safe space where people can seek help without stigma.
Campus Food Room
SMU Community Food Room coordinator Yeshani Sugunendran and her supervisor, Emma Rota from the Student Success Centre, share the same sentiments.
“This role has helped me realize how crucial food is to overall well-being and how even small efforts to improve food access can significantly impact someone’s life,” said Sugunendran.
Rota agreed: “We aim to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where students can comfortably access what they need.”
Today, the SMU Community Food Room sees over 120 weekly visitors, with 3,855 appointments booked between May 2023 and April 2024. Sugunendran works alongside assistant coordinator Ronald Polius. Together they are supported by 30-40 enthusiastic student volunteers.
The current team is thankful for Wolfe’s vision. “His legacy lives on and we’re committed to evolving it to meet the growing needs of our community,” said Sugunendran.
Reflecting on nearly 10 years since the SMU Community Food Room’s inception, Wolfe said, “It’s deeply rewarding to witness how the initiative has grown. To everyone involved–students, faculty, alumni and staff–you’re sustaining a community of care and support that leaves a lasting impact.”
While the most recent food drive at Saint Mary’s raised over 3,000 pounds of donations, there is still more to be done.
“Our goal now is to expand food education programs and upgrade our equipment,” said Rota. “We’re always looking for new ways to help.”
To learn more about how you can help the SMU Community Food Room, email food.room@smu.ca or visit their website
Giving Tuesday 2024
Over $47,000 raised
THANK YOU!
We are beyond grateful for your incredible generosity! Thanks to your support, we’ve raised over $47,000 to strengthen food security and other health & wellness initiatives for hundreds of students at Saint Mary's.
A huge shoutout to the J & W Murphy Foundation and the Alumni Association for their matching gift, as well as Danny McCarthy BComm'76 DComm'11 for his second match! These combined contributions have tripled the impact of every donation made to the Student Wellness Fund.
Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of students, ensuring they have the resources to thrive! Thank you for being part of this amazing journey.
