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Campus News
Nova Scotia government invests $25 million into healthcare data analytics programs
Saint Mary's University is the recipient of a $25 million investment from the Province of Nova Scotia to expand its programs, research and capacity in healthcare data analytics, management, and leadership, with a focus on creating solutions to improve the province’s healthcare system.
The investment, announced in March 2023, is the most significant single government investment in the history of the university. It will support the university’s capacity to expand and grow and will include, but not be limited to:
- expanding health data analytics programming and research at Saint Mary's.
- developing management and leadership programming for healthcare professionals.
- expanding the articulation agreements with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), creating and promoting new pathways between the healthcare programs at NSCC and undergraduate degree programs at Saint Mary’s University.
Government of Canada and Saint Mary’s University invest $20 million into green energy and technology
A $20 million investment announced in April 2023 will support sustainable enhancements to the new Sobeys Inspiration Hub and existing buildings on campus.
New green technology, including solar panels, a green roof and other energy-efficiency features will be added to the Loyola Building, the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness, the Patrick Power Library, the Burke Theatre and the McNally Theatre Auditorium. The new additions to the Sobeys Inspiration Hub include solar panels, integrated audio-visual communications technology and landscaping work.
“Universities are at the forefront of producing and researching green energy. We are essential partners in the fight against climate change,” says Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University. “I want to thank the Government of Canada for its investment in Saint Mary’s University and our initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint as we move towards net zero. We are leading Atlantic Canada in this space, and with this investment, we will continue to advance a greener community and campus.”
Alumni receive honorary degrees for leadership in anti-racism, business and philanthropy
Stan Hartling BComm’86 DComm'23
Bob Dawson BA’71 DCL'23
Saint Mary’s University alumni were recognized with honorary degrees at convocation ceremonies in 2023.
Stan Hartling BComm’86 received an honorary Doctor of Commerce in January 2023. Hartling, Founder and CEO of The Hartling Group, is an entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist. He shared a message of perseverance with graduates, outlining his journey from undergrad to being one of the largest employers in Turks and Caicos. His philanthropic efforts supporting numerous charities and organizations have earned him the Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Bob Dawson BA’71 received an honorary Doctor of Civil Laws in May 2023. Dawson, former Huskies hockey player and public servant, is known for his leadership in fighting racism both in the hockey arena and wider community. In 1970, he became a member of the first all-Black line in Canadian university hockey, which included Darrell Maxwell and Percy Paris. Dawson has earned recognition for his work with community organizations in addressing racism, as well as his work as a sportswriter and historian.
SMU to host Touchdown Atlantic and NAIG events
Saint Mary’s University will host two upcoming national sporting events, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and Touchdown Atlantic in July 2023.
Hosted across Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation from July 15–23, NAIG will host basketball and wrestling events at the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness and Dauphinee Centre. NAIG 2023 will bring together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756+ Indigenous Nations celebrating, sharing and reconnecting through sport and culture with the help of 3,000 volunteers.
Touchdown Atlantic takes place on the SMU Huskies field on July 29. CFL teams the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders will face-off to a crowd of more than 10,000 fans. Temporary stadium seating is under construction on campus in anticipation of a sold-out event!
Saint Mary’s becomes a Fair Trade Campus
Saint Mary’s faculty, staff and students are dedicated to making a difference, and as a result of their efforts, all on-campus purchases are now Fair Trade certified. Fair Trade is an alternative approach to business based on partnerships between producers and consumers. Farmers receive a minimum price, improved terms and a social premium that helps improve their lives and enables them to plan for their future.
SMU Huskies Awards
The SMU Huskies celebrated the end of the 2022–2023 season recognizing the efforts and leadership of students, teams and staff.
Awards round-up:
- The Women’s Basketball Huskies won the AUS Championship in February, defeating defending champions the Acadia Axewomen. Tournament MVP and Huskies Female Athlete of the Year Alaina McMillan led the charge for Saint Mary's. Read more.
- Andrew Peverill, Cross Country and Track and Field runner, ended his fifth year with numerous awards including Huskies Male Athlete of the Year, AUS Male Athlete of the Year, AUS Cross Country Runner of the Year, and gold, silver and bronze placements in AUS and USports Championships. Read more.
- Men’s hockey coach Tyler Naugler was named AUS Men’s Hockey Coach of the Year (Bob Boucher Trophy), while goaltender Matthew Welsh received the Dr. Randy Gregg Award for the second consecutive season. Read more.
- At the annual Huskies Athletic Awards Banquet, Ève LeBlanc, women’s hockey defender and football quarterback Duncan Patterson received the Huskies President’s Award for Outstanding Academic and Athletic Performance. Women's basketball guard Sarah Forgie and men’s hockey forward Jonathan Hampton received the John Jones Memorial Award for Unsung Hero. Women's volleyball setter Taylor Lougheed men's soccer defenceman Orion Wiersma received Huskies Rookie of the Year. Read about all the Huskies awards.
Two BComm students receive the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies
Ambitious, community-minded and studious are some of the many ways to describe two award-winning Sobey School of Business Bachelor of Commerce students—third-year finance and economics major Hallie Wedge and second-year finance and accounting major Sandy Hiltz. They are two of only eight undergraduate students from across Atlantic Canada to win this year’s Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.
Each award winner receives $45,000 in recognition of their achievements and gains access to mentorship support from members of the business community across the Atlantic region.
“Our business school is fostering the next generation of leaders who are taking their education forward to lead entrepreneurial and sustainable businesses and communities. Hallie and Sandy’s award recognition highlights the dedication our students demonstrate to their studies and communities,” says Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business.
Sobey Innovator Series hosts talk by Tareq Hadhad, Peace by Chocolate Founder
In January, the Sobey School of Business held its inaugural Sobey Innovator Speaker Series event, featuring Founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, Mr. Taraq Hadhad.
Hadhad and his family immigrated to Canada from Syria during the Syrian War, and founded Peace by Chocolate in Antigonish, NS. He spoke to the audience about his story, instilling a message of tenacity, compassion and championing the skills of immigrants coming to Canada.
The Sobey Innovator Speaker Series was developed with the help of a transformational gift, the largest in the history of Saint Mary’s University, to the School by the Sobey Family, Sobey Foundation and Sobeys Inc. to support innovative research, experiential learning, and meaningful connection with practice.
