Alumni News
Click on the titles below to go to this issue's Alumni Spotlights.
Know an alumn with a great story? Email us at alumni@smu.ca to share an update or recommend a profile for a future issue.
Leadership, Legacy and Lifelong Connections
Peter Halpin BA'73
Memebers of the 1973 national winning basketball team (Left to right): Donald ‘Taps’ Gallagher BA'76, Peter Halpin BA'73, Greig Redding BComm'76, Coach Brian Heaney, John Gallinaugh BComm'74 BEd'76 (team captain) and Mickey Fox BA'76 BEd'77.
By Renée Hartleib
Life can change in the blink of an eye or on the turn of a dime—or, in the case of Peter Halpin BA’73, with a phone call out of nowhere.
The year was 1971, and Peter was working at a summer basketball camp in upstate New York. He’d completed one year at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he’d played on the varsity basketball team, and was enjoying a summer away. One day, amid drills and scrimmages, he was called to the camp phone.
When he picked up, to his surprise, the voice on the other end was Brian Heaney, Acadia University’s legendary basketball player. “Heaney told me that he’d just taken the job of head basketball coach at Saint Mary's in Halifax. He wanted to know if I might be interested in leaving Lakehead and joining the Saint Mary’s team.”
Peter’s time at Lakehead had been fine, but admittedly, unremarkable. This sudden, unexpected offer felt like a real opportunity to up his game. “Heaney asked, and I said yes. It was as simple as that. It felt like true serendipity. I was in the right place at the right time. And that decision changed my life.”
The 20-year-old flew to Halifax, and while at the airport, made his first Saint Mary’s friend. John Gallinaugh was a fellow player, also recruited by Coach Heaney, and at the time, probably the best point guard in the country. The two would go on to be lifelong friends.
“That first year was an adjustment to Halifax and Nova Scotia, but it didn't take me long to develop a deep appreciation for the people and the East Coast lifestyle,” says Peter, who is originally from Toronto. “I arrived in 1971 and literally never went home again. Halifax became my home after the first year, and the same ended up being true for most of the guys on our team.”
In that first season, the Huskies made the playoffs, but Coach Heaney had higher hopes. “He spent the summer of 1972 recruiting like crazy. We ended up with an incredibly strong team the next year, one that really gelled and surprised everyone by winning the National Championships.” For a small university with only 2200 students, this was a real coup. In fact, 1973 was also a great year for Huskies football and hockey. The football team won the Vanier Cup, and the hockey team was a national championship finalist.
Peter Halpin BA'73 with his son, Riley Halpin BComm'14 MBA'19 and grandson, Cooper. Taken during the AUS basketball championship.
During his time at Saint Mary’s, the university also outperformed in other ways. Not only was he making great friends and having unforgettable athletic experiences, but he was also offered new opportunities, including a role as the university’s Sports Information Director. As an English major and an aspiring sportswriter/broadcaster, this was a chance to combine his love of sports with hands-on experience in media, honing his writing, reporting and communication skills while building connections. In fact, this introduction to the local sports and news media scene led directly to a part-time job with CBC TV and, later, to his first full-time job with the Chronicle-Herald as a sportswriter.
Peter went on to work at Moosehead Breweries for over eight years in public relations, marketing and communications, followed by 17 years at Corporate Communications Limited. He capped his career with a 22-year tenure as Executive Director of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU), applying his experience and expertise in communications and leadership to the higher education sector.
“We've got great universities right across the region, and they all offer very unique, life-changing experiences for students. One of the great joys of my position was working with student leaders at all the different schools. The quality of those individuals who aspire to leadership positions is just exceptional. They are so smart and capable, in addition to being so enthusiastic, energetic and inspiring.”
One of the other perks of being AAU’s Executive Director was that he could stay connected to the Saint Mary’s campus, where he got his start. “I had the good fortune of being able to work very closely with the presidents of Saint Mary’s over the years—Ken Ozmon, Colin Dodds, Robert Summerby Murray, Michael Khan—and to maintain a connection with Owen Carrigan, who was the president when I was at school. I've seen firsthand their commitment to the development and growth of Saint Mary's and its expansion.”
There is one other reason why Peter has retained such a deep and abiding love of Saint Mary’s. In 1974, his final year, he met Maura, a teaching student who would later become his wife. Together, they raised a family in Halifax with daughter Emma, son Riley and son-in-law Rick, all attending SMU as well.
“I feel so grateful to have had a wonderful, unforgettable university experience where I made lifelong friends,” Peter says, adding that what makes it even more special is knowing the same sense of community—almost like family—still thrives at Saint Mary’s today.
“It’s a very special, inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed and supported. That spirit of connection and belonging is rare, and it’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
Halpin Family photo taken during the 2014 AUS basketball championship
(L-R) Emma Halpin(Woodburn) BA'06, Maura Halpin BEd'76, Riley Halpin BComm'14 MBA'19 and Peter Halpin BA'73
Making Friendships to Last a Lifetime
Andrea Daly BComm'15
By Krista Keough
For Andrea Daly BComm’15, Saint Mary’s was on her radar from a young age. Her grandfather, Charles Arnold Patterson, is an esteemed alumnus and her father, Patrick Daly BComm’78, graduated as a highly respected Huskies Football player.
Growing up in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Andrea continued her family’s tradition and immersed herself in competitive sports. In high school, she was encouraged by her soccer coaches and student-athlete alumni Ally Read BComm'07 and Heidi Pentz BComm'11 to attend training camps at the university.
“I still have these sweatpants that I bought when I was 13 years old at Saint Mary’s,” she says. “My granddad gave me money to go buy them because he was so happy that I was interested in his alma mater.”
She made up her mind to apply after meeting the Huskies Women’s Soccer team, being offered a soccer scholarship, and learning more about the Sobey School of Business. “I can honestly say, it was one of the best decisions of my life. I had a really great four years at Saint Mary’s. I can’t imagine doing it differently now.”
From late-night study sessions to finishing assignments and writing exams, Andrea made fast friends with her classmates, who she says defined her experience.
“You see the same faces over and over, and you end up getting to know people. That’s the beautiful thing about Saint Mary’s.”
Those connections didn’t just define her university experience. They became something much more lasting.
“Honestly, the friendships I made were the best thing that I could have ever hoped for. The friends I have in my life today are people who I met there, and they’re from all over the country. I went to two Saint Mary’s weddings this past year, and at one, two people from Saint Mary’s married each other.”
In addition to her peers, Andrea made a big impression on her professors. Earlier this year, she attended the 2026 University Cup in Halifax and caught up with Dr. Ethan Pancer, Sobey Professor in Marketing. “He wrote my law school recommendation letter. He’s been a huge mentor to me.”
Graduating from Saint Mary’s with her Bachelor of Commerce and a major in marketing, she earned a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian award and went to study law at the University of New Brunswick. “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, and it was clear from a young age, when I started learning about what lawyers do, that I’d like to work in-house at a company as opposed to a law firm.”
Her business background has continued to shape her approach. “The nice thing is, because I have a business degree, there’s a lot I’m able to bring to the table because I understand how a business runs.”
Despite her positive outlook, the transition to law school was a big adjustment. “I was out of my comfort zone. I didn’t have my old friends or my identity as an athlete. My first year was not easy, but I got through it by reminding myself that I deserve to be here, I worked hard and everyone’s path is a little different.”
A newly minted lawyer, she travelled to Ottawa to clerk at the Tax Court of Canada. During the pandemic, she landed a full-time position at the Department of Justice, working from home. Three years later, Andrea moved to Toronto for a role in tax litigation, then worked at TELUS Corporation for two years. She recently moved back to Halifax after accepting her current job with the Canadian Telecommunications Association.
Even while living across the country, her connection to Saint Mary’s and its community remained strong. “Mary Ann Daye, who’s the Director of Alumni Engagement, we like to joke that there was a point in time when I was following her across the country,” she laughs. “I went to alumni events in Ottawa, and then Toronto and then here in Halifax, too. I’ll have to go to Montreal or Calgary next.”
Beyond her career and alumni involvement, Andrea also gives back through volunteer work. She serves on the board of directors for My Grandfather’s Cat, a charity founded by her friend and fellow alumna Angela Rafuse BComm’16.
“It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve gotten to do. And I wouldn’t be doing it if it weren’t for going to Saint Mary’s.”
Having lived in several cities, Andrea has come to appreciate the importance of connection—something that traces back to her time on campus.
“After spending time in so many different places, one thing that’s come up for me is how important it is to connect with the people around you. Fostering that sense of community is so important, and I want to keep doing that in the future.”
Bringing People to the Table: One Alum's Growing Footprint in Cape Breton
Ossama Nasrallah BComm’18 MBA’22
Ossama Nasrallah BComm’18, MBA’22 and Mary Navas BComm'20 with NS Premiere Tim Houston BComm'92
By Kate Elliot BA’12
If you find yourself driving the Cabot Trail this summer, somewhere between a morning hike and an afternoon on the water, there’s a good chance you’ll pass a familiar name: Main Street Restaurant. Actually, two of them.
Saint Mary’s alumnus Ossama Nasrallah BComm’18, MBA’22 has quietly built not one, but two summer restaurant experiences in Cape Breton (one in Ingonish and another in Baddeck), designed to meet people exactly where they are: hungry, curious and ready to experience the island.
For the two-time Saint Mary’s graduate, the move wasn’t part of some long-standing master plan. In fact, his first visit to Ingonish only came in 2024, when he drove the five-hour stretch in the middle of winter to explore a new opportunity.
“It was January, it was snowy, and I remember thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’,” he laughs. “But we saw the potential of the Cabot Trail, and once we started, we just loved it.”
That instinct—to see potential where others might hesitate—has become a defining part of his approach. In a short time, he and his team have expanded from one location to two, with a third seasonal concept now operating at Cape Smokey’s ski hill during the winter months.
More than a restaurant
At first glance, Main Street Restaurant is intentionally simple. The name reflects exactly what it is: a place on the main street, open to everyone. But the experience is anything but basic.
“We have everything. You can come in for a $20 burger in a nice setting, or you can have a full lobster dinner. It’s not about being overly touristy. It’s about creating good food in a space where people feel comfortable.”
That balance—elevated food in a casual, welcoming environment—has resonated with both locals and visitors. Early in the season, the dining rooms are filled with regulars. As summer peaks, travellers make their way through, often stopping in more than once.
It’s exactly what he hoped for: a place that becomes part of someone’s Cape Breton story. “We get people who have breakfast in Ingonish and then dinner in Baddeck, or the other way around. That was always the goal.”
Where it all began
For Ossama, the path into hospitality started long before Cape Breton.
Growing up, he spent much of his childhood at his father’s restaurant, learning the rhythms of the business from a young age. As the youngest of six, he was often by his father’s side, watching, helping and gradually understanding what it meant to run something of his own.
That early exposure stayed with him, even as his path led him to Saint Mary’s, where he completed both his Bachelor of Commerce and, later, his Master of Business Administration at the Sobey School of Business. While his family had hoped he might pursue something different, the pull toward hospitality never quite left. “I grew up in my dad’s restaurant, and I knew I wanted to open my own one day.”
Today, that foundation continues to shape how he approaches his work, not just as a business owner, but as someone who understands the role these spaces play in people’s lives and the communities they serve.
Rooted in community
While the restaurants serve thousands of visitors each season, it’s the local connection that matters most. “What really stands out are the people. From day one, we never felt like outsiders. Everyone has been kind, welcoming and supportive.”
That sense of belonging extends beyond guests to the team itself. Nearly all staff are local, and this year, almost every team member is returning—a rarity in seasonal hospitality.
The addition of a winter operation at the ski hill has also created something many seasonal businesses struggle to offer: continuity. “Staff can work the summer, take a few weeks off and then come back for the winter season. That’s the part we’re really excited about.”
An experience-first mindset
Though his business portfolio includes restaurants, glamping and water-based adventures (including Nova Glamping, Sea HFX and The Harbour Watercraft Tours & Adventures), Ossama doesn’t define himself by any one category. What ties it all together is something less tangible: a clear instinct for creating memorable experiences.
For him, that means thinking beyond what’s on the menu or the activity itself, and focusing on how people feel when they arrive, and what they take with them when they leave.
That philosophy shows up in small but meaningful ways. Staff are trained not just to serve food, but to guide visitors, recommending hiking trails, sharing local knowledge and helping shape the rest of someone’s trip. “We’re in the hospitality business more than the restaurant business. It’s not just, ‘Here’s your plate.’ It’s, ‘Where are you off to next?’”
It’s a level of care that goes beyond service and into something more personal. Conversations become part of the experience, and each visit feels more connected to the place itself, whether it’s a great meal after a long drive or a stop along the Cabot Trail that becomes a highlight of the trip.
Building something bigger
Beyond the day-to-day, Ossama is thinking about the long game. His vision is to have a Main Street Restaurant presence in multiple communities along the Cabot Trail, each one building on existing spaces and preserving what’s already there. “There are a lot of businesses coming up for sale as people retire. They want someone to continue the legacy, not just change everything.”
It’s a perspective shaped not only by opportunity, but by respect for the places, the people and the stories that already exist. In a region so deeply rooted in all three, the approach feels less like expansion and more like continuation.
A summer worth stopping for
As another season approaches, Ossama’s focus is less on expansion and more on impact and on building a strong summer for his team, his guests and the communities he’s part of. “We have about 85 people working with us now across all of the businesses. Seeing their excitement for the season, that’s what really motivates me.”
For those planning a trip to Cape Breton this year, his invitation is simple. “You’re going to feel welcome, you’re going to enjoy a great meal, and it will become an awesome part of your trip.” And in many ways, that’s exactly what he set out to create: something that feels simple in the moment, but stays with you long after you leave.
From student to builder
For Ossama, the journey has also come full circle. Earlier this year, he returned to Saint Mary’s as a speaker at the Commerce Society Dinner, sharing his experience with the next generation of students—a moment that felt both familiar and meaningful.
“I was once a student going to these events, listening to speakers and thinking, ‘Wow, this is cool. How did they do it?’ So it’s always a good time to come back and share with students.”
His message was simple, but grounded in experience. “My advice to the students was that we need more humans going into the workforce. Your degree is important, but you’ve got to have that humanity in you. You’ve got to be able to look around you and know what’s right and what’s wrong, especially with everything happening in the world.”
The Journey to Medical School
Dr. Alyson Colborne BSc'16
By Emily Latimer BA’17
At age 16, Dr. Alyson Colborne BSc'16 travelled from her home in Cole Harbour to volunteer at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. In the summertime, she was a patient escort, guiding visitors throughout the hospital. Soon, she began volunteering in the Child Life department, spending time with children who were admitted to the hospital and gaining hands-on experience in health care.
As a high school student, Dr. Colborne loved science classes and knew she wanted to pursue something in health care, though she wasn’t exactly sure what. When it came time to choose an undergraduate program, she felt a natural sense of comfort at Saint Mary’s. She applied to the Bachelor of Science program and pursued a double major in biology and psychology.
When Dr. Colborne first started at Saint Mary’s, she says, “I was a pretty shy, quiet person, but I felt so comfortable at SMU.” By participating in extracurriculars and getting involved in the community, her confidence grew.
She got involved with Shinerama, a fundraiser in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and she also tutored students. One summer, she worked at Saint Mary’s organizing student orientation events.
“I loved being involved on campus."
Alyson Colborne BSc'16 and her family at the ovarian cancer walk
As she found her rhythm at SMU, her mom got sick, and during her final year of study, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Interacting with doctors and seeing how they support families through life’s most challenging moments drew her toward pursuing a career in family medicine. “After my mom got sick, it really reinforced that interest in me.” The experience also sparked her interest in women’s health care.
She joined the SMU Medical Society, where she met other students interested in writing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), an exam required for admission to most medical schools. “I studied a lot late into the night, and always in the library,” she remembers, balancing studies with her biology and psychology coursework. “That was a little bit tricky, but all of the courses that I took were geared towards being able to write the MCAT.”
In 2016, she graduated from Saint Mary’s and applied to Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, which she began the following year. Sadly, her mom passed away in 2019. Inspired by her positive experience with family doctors, she enrolled in the Family Medicine program and graduated in 2021. After completing a family medicine residency, Dr. Colborne pursued extra training to specialize in women's health and newborn care.
Today, Dr. Colborne works at multiple family medicine facilities, including the Halifax Sexual Health Centre, where she provides reproductive care and sexual health care, Dalhousie’s Family Medicine Clinic, a position that allows her to teach new residents and medical students and the Halifax Primary Care Clinic, where she practices newborn care and sees unattached patients. “I enjoy providing care all over HRM. It’s nice to have that longitudinal relationship with patients and to have a good understanding of their entire lives when it comes to their health care. That’s why I went into family medicine.”
Through Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Colborne is shaping the next generation of doctors. She teaches tutorial groups for first-year medical students and supervises residents at the teaching clinic. “It’s valuable to my learning and my practice to see their progress and see them improve throughout the year. It’s a really rewarding part of the job.”
Though she wasn’t set on going to medical school when she first started at Saint Mary’s, she always knew she would build a career in health care. Now 32, she credits her time at SMU with giving her the skills and confidence to take that next step. Through her academics and community involvement, she found her footing–experiences that continue to shape how she shows up in her work today. “I really think it made a big difference.”
Looking back, it’s those early moments that stand out most.
“Sometimes it feels like a really long journey, but it’s nice to have those memories to look back on and remember a really positive experience at SMU.”
Finding Your Voice: How One Alum Built a Business on Authentic Storytelling
Marc Boudreau BComm’17
By Jennifer Ashton
When Marc Boudreau BComm’17 reflects on his path since graduating from Saint Mary's, one thing stands out: it wasn’t a straight line. It was shaped by curiosity, conversation and a willingness to try something new before it felt fully defined.
Today, Marc is the Chief Executive Officer of BNV Media, a premium podcast production and video marketing company based in downtown Halifax. His days are fast-paced and creative, recording several podcasts, editing content, supporting clients and building the business. But at its core, his work is about helping people tell their stories.
“I’ve always been a talker and interested in people,” he says. “In my job, I get to meet people every day and help them express themselves.”
That curiosity and a desire to find purpose sparked shortly after graduation. With a Bachelor of Commerce in hand, Marc travelled to Southeast Asia. There, he noticed something that shifted his perspective. “There were so many entrepreneurs. People were very driven and invested in their own success. It made me think differently about what was possible.”
When he returned home, a conversation with his mother, where she recommended he read The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes, nudged him toward an idea that was just beginning to gain traction: podcasting. “I thought, maybe I could do this.”
That idea became Brand New View, a podcast he ran from 2018 to 2019. What started as a passion project quickly turned into something more. Guests began asking how they could start their own podcasts. One of those early connections became his first client. From there, the business evolved into what is now BNV Media, a boutique studio creating unique, personalized content for brands, services and companies.
Today, podcast production makes up most of the company’s work, complemented by video production, social media content and digital storytelling. The studio, which overlooks Halifax Harbour, reflects the company’s approach—professional, welcoming and distinctly Nova Scotian. “We try to create an environment where people feel comfortable, because that’s when they’re at their best.” That sense of ease is intentional and essential.
In a world saturated with content, authenticity stands out, and this is where podcasts deliver. “Because we are bombarded with fake news, people value real conversations. They want to listen, and that creates value for businesses and individuals.”
For Marc, this shift signals something bigger happening in marketing and communications. Traditional strategies still matter, but they are no longer enough on their own. Real, human storytelling is becoming central. “You need a strong outreach strategy, but storytelling is a key part of it now.”
That perspective is rooted in his time at Saint Mary's, where he arrived as a mature student and, along the way, built confidence and meaningful relationships that continue to shape his work. A standout moment was an introductory law course with professor Kevin Downie, who made it easy to connect and ask questions. “He took away the intimidation. It encouraged me to open up and helped me realize that at Saint Mary’s, you’re more than just a number. You are a person that professors want to help succeed.”
Today, those same interpersonal skills—being approachable, patient and flexible—are central to his work and what he looks for in those he collaborates with. They shape not only how he leads, but how he creates space for others to show up as themselves.
His advice to students is simple: stay curious, seek out mentors and don’t rush the process. “University is a time to learn, meet people and explore.”
It’s advice he’s lived himself. What began as a curiosity has grown into a business grounded in connection, conversation and authentic storytelling—work that reflects both who he is and how he sees the world.
And in an industry that is constantly evolving, that ability to listen, adapt and help others find their voice is what continues to set him apart.
Language as a Throughline: From English Lit to LLMs
Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton BA’92
By Emily Latimer BA’17
Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton BA’92 has always had a lifelong love of words and language—even as a toddler. Growing up in Halifax’s North End, Sarah attended St. Stephen's Elementary and then St. Patrick’s High School. “Saint Mary’s was a natural pathway after that,” she says.
Her love of words and language led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. “I always knew from a young age that I wanted to be a professor. That was always the dream.”
In the English department, she was drawn to Dr. Janet Baker, who quickly became her favourite teacher. “She was an amazing role model for so many of us, in particular, young women who aspired to become professors.”
Today, Sarah is a professor at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education and director of the Postplagiarism Research Lab. She is an internationally recognized authority in academic integrity, and her research focuses on academic ethics in higher education and generative AI.
Currently, Sarah’s work focuses on how to promote equitable and ethical approaches to the use of generative AI with inclusion and accessibility in mind. “It’s a social justice approach. How can we implement and integrate AI into education for the benefit of our students?”
Recently, the alumna delivered a keynote address at the Studio for Teaching and Learning on Saint Mary’s campus, which hosted the Teaching Symposium: Assessments and Evaluation in the Age of Generative AI. The event explored how generative AI is reshaping teaching, assessment, academic integrity and student support in university settings.
“Being back on campus brought back so many great memories. Walking around the McNally building just warmed my heart.”
6
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1992, Sarah studied Spanish as a second language. After studying abroad in Spain one summer, she went on to the University of Calgary to pursue literary studies in a different language. She completed a Master of Arts in Hispanic Literature in 1997 and eventually earned a doctorate in education. Her deep interest and commitment to ethics and integrity led her to study plagiarism.
“The throughline there is a lifelong love of words, writing and literature, and that was first catalyzed at Saint Mary’s when I did my English degree.”
Around 2020, Sarah began to consider the impact of AI and large language models (LLMs) on plagiarism and writing. At the end of her 2021 book, Plagiarism in Higher Education: Tackling Tough Topics in Academic Integrity, she considers what the future of plagiarism might look like.
“I was starting to pay attention to the impact of GPT-2, which is what we had at the time, and really starting to think: what would artificial intelligence do to writing if we have large language models?” Sarah’s team applied for research grants to explore the impact of LLMs on plagiarism, academic integrity and student work, which they received before the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. Since then, conversations about AI and LLMs in teaching and learning have only continued to grow.
At the symposium in March, Sarah’s keynote speech, “The Assessment Reckoning: Practical Pathways Forward in a Postplagiarism Era,” examined how institutions can move beyond AI-detection-focused assessment to redesign assignments.
In this postplagiarism era, in which advanced technologies are part of our everyday lives, ChatGPT can easily generate an essay on Hamlet, analyze a text, or write a reflection in seconds. So, Sarah incorporates oral exams and individual conferences with students to go over readings, ask questions, discuss topics and write alongside one another.
She also encourages conversations about AI usage, whether her students are super-users or conscientious objectors. “It’s an ongoing dialogue all the time about the benefits, the drawbacks, the curiosities and the cautions.”
When Sarah first began her teaching career 30 years ago at the University of Calgary, the internet was becoming popular. She remembers thinking, “We have to use this technology because it’s going to be part of our lives going forward.”
Now, decades later, she sees that same sense of possibility—and responsibility—emerging again. “I feel the same way about AI now.”
Alumni Referral Program
Know a future SMU student? Share your Saint Mary’s University experience with the students in your life through our referral program. When a student you inspire chooses SMU, they’ll receive an exclusive welcome gift to kick off their journey—and as a thank-you, you will too. It’s a simple way to make a meaningful impact and help the next generation feel right at home from day one.
