Media Room

April 27

Over 1,000 To Graduate

StFX Honours Gaetano Gagliano, Dr. Martha Piper, Joan Dillon and Donald Munroe

ANTIGONISH, NS --- St. Francis Xavier University will bestow honorary degrees upon businessman Gaetano Gagliano and UBC president Dr. Martha Piper in morning ceremonies, and X-Project icon Joan Dillon, and businessman and StFX alumnus Don Munroe in the afternoon ceremony, during Spring Convocation 2006 on Sunday, May 7 at the Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre.

StFX will graduate over 1,000 students in the two ceremonies.

Degrees or diplomas will be conferred in graduate studies, adult education, education, science, nursing, human nutrition, human kinetics, and engineering during the morning ceremony, and in arts, business administration, information systems, music and jazz studies during the afternoon program.

Dr. Piper will address the morning ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Munroe will deliver the address to the afternoon convocation, which starts at 3 p.m.

Gaetano Gagliano
Gaetano Gagliano of Concord, ON is an Order of Canada recipient who came to this country as an immigrant and went on to become founder and leader of one of the largest private businesses in Canada, St. Joseph Communications. Born to a family of shepherds in Sicily in 1917, he was brought up to respect family and hard work. When he immigrated to Canada, he found work in a printing plant in Toronto for $2 a day, supporting a family of six. Two years later he bought a small home and set up a printing plant that soon was thriving in the Italian community. Steady expansion took place, in business and in family. He is proud father of 10 children and 30 grandchildren. Naming his companies after St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, is reflective of Mr. Gagliano's profound faith. He funded the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network in 2003, which attempts to strengthen the Catholic faith community. He is a philanthropist, was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1998, and has received an honorary degree from Ryerson Polytechnic University. He admires the work of the Coady International Institute. Mr. Gagliano is 88. Today, his children and relatives manage St. Joseph Communications, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Dr. Martha Piper
Since 1997, Dr. Martha Piper has served as the 11th president and vice-chancellor of The University of British Columbia. She has enjoyed a distinguished career including posts at McGill University, where she was director of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, and the University of Alberta, where she served as dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, and vice-president research, a portfolio later expanded to include External Affairs. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien appointed her to the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology in 1994 and, in 1996, to the Board of the Advisory Council on Science and Technology. She has also been a member of the Board of Directors for the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation, and a member of the National University of Singapore Council. In 2005 she was appointed a Public Governor of the Board for the Canadian Academies of Science and was named a member of the Board of Directors for PrioNet Canada. Dr. Piper has been awarded six honorary degrees, been named Educator of the Year by The Learning Partnership, and is an officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia. In 2006, The Instituto Technologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico held a special ceremony to recognize her contributions to higher education, marking the first time a non-Mexican received such an honour.

Joan Dillon
Joan Dillon is the co-founder of X Project, the renowned social action committee that has involved over 3,500 StFX students since 1965. Her greatest contribution to StFX and to outlying communities was administrator and inspirational leader of these literacy and social programs for young people of rural Mi'kmaq and African-Canadian communities in Pictou Landing, Afton, Upper Big Tracadie, Lincolnville and Sunnyville communities. She has been recognized for extraordinary contributions to making this a better world, including The African-Canadian Heritage and Friendship Centre in Guysborough in 2005, Lincolnville in 2003, First Nations in 1988, and "CTV Live at Five" Volunteer Award for Outstanding Contributions to Maritime Communities in 2003. She was presented with one of StFX's first honorary X Rings in 1991. Born in England, she moved to PEI during World War II, and has lived in Antigonish since the 1950s, working at St Martha's Regional Hospital in medical records and as secretary for over 30 years. She also worked at the StFX Alumni Aquatic Centre. Her official employment was only a small part of her day. She was a Boy Scout and Cub leader, recognized for her faithfulness with awards in 1979 and 1980, and a member of an Eastern Nova Scotia Ladies Softball League team in the 1960s.

Donald R. Munroe
Nearly three decades of StFX's growth has been shaped by Donald Munroe's dedication: three six-year terms on the Board of Governors capped by three years as its first lay chair, and 25 years on its Investment Committee. Born in Stellarton, N.S., where his father was mayor for many years, Mr. Munroe graduated from StFX with a commerce degree in 1958 and went on to a successful business career including posts as chief operating officer and president of Central Trust in Moncton and Halifax, and first vice-president and regional manager of Wood Gundy in Halifax. His charitable endeavours have been many, including the Halifax Metro United Way, Peter Gzowski Golf Tournament for Literacy, and investment advisor to the Dalhousie University Internal Medicine Research Foundation. He has been a key part of the StFX Investment Committee, which has been recognized as having the best investment performance of all Canadian universities over the last 10 years. This performance has made a huge difference for StFX. The capital fund provides in annual returns more than $3 million dollars for student scholarships, Chairs of Studies, the Coady Institute and other worthy endeavours. Recently his pro bono work on the St Joseph Society has lead to a major turnaround in the fortunes of that capital fund for retired priests.


April 27

StFX Biology Professor leads offshore energy research project

ANTIGONISH, NS --- A St. Francis Xavier University biology professor is at the forefront of a $6.4 million investment by the Province of Nova Scotia into offshore energy needs.

Dr. Edwin DeMont will lead a new non-profit organization that will receive $2.6 million dollars in funding. Dr. DeMont, president of Offshore Energy and Environmental Research (OEER), along with colleagues will aim to increase scientific facts and knowledge that assist regulators in making decisions and recommendations regarding interaction between offshore energy activities (including renewable energy) and the marine environment.

"These are exciting times and I'm to thrilled accept this contribution on behalf of this non-profit organization," said Dr. DeMont. "My colleagues and I look forward to studying the impacts of seismic sound on invertebrates, fish behaviour and alternatives to seismic air source arrays as well as research and pilot projects for tidal current technology,"

The announcement was made by the Honourable Bill Dooks, Minister of Energy today at Province House. The provincial government is investing $6.4 million in Research and Development, new online delivery models and laboratory equipment to secure better access to scientific information and ultimately generate more wealth and energy from offshore Nova Scotia.

Two new non-profit research associations have been established: OETR (Offshore Energy Technical Research) will encourage research into Nova Scotia's offshore petroleum geology; OEER (Offshore Energy and Environmental Research) will sponsor studies of a variety of environmental matters including the effects of energy exploration on the marine environment. Each association received $2.6 million in initial funding from the Province, for a total of $5.2 million. Assisting with the promotion of its offshore is a $1 million grant to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, which was announced on April 25.

As OEER president, Dr. DeMont will work with colleagues at Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia Department of Energy and other Nova Scotia universities. "Research in the oil and gas industry is already underway at StFX. This partnership with the province will not only bring new research opportunities for our faculty and students but also strengthen ties between the university, industry partners and government," added Andrew Kendall, StFX Industry Liaison Officer.


April 25

StFX website brings Scottish Gaelic folklore back to life

Website contains thousands of valuable Gaelic folklore, songs and hymns

ANTIGONISH, NS --- Captured years ago on tape, Gaelic folklore and songs from families living in Cape Breton has been revived through the digital age.

St. Francis Xavier University's Gael Stream/Sruth nan Gaidheal (www.gaelstream.ca) is a digital resource of Nova Scotia's living Gaelic tradition. Included is the very significant Cape Breton Folklore Collection; consisting of approximately 2,000 digitized audio files preserving the oral traditions of Cape Breton. As well, there is textual material outlining various aspects of Scottish Gaelic history, such as immigration, everyday life, industry, education, religion and politics.

"The idea for the website was influenced by a similar Gaelic website project at Scotland's Gaelic College Sabhal Mor Ostaig, located in the Isle of Skye," said St. Francis Xavier University Celtic Studies Professor Dr. Jamie MacDonald.

"The Gaelic folklore and songs originated from reel to reel recordings done by Dr. John Shaw between 1977 and1982. Dr. Shaw currently teaches at the University of Edinburgh," said StFX Archivist Kathleen MacKenzie. "This website project carries on the StFX tradition of community outreach, added Ms. MacKenzie.

The Gael Stream/Sruth nan Gaidheal website project is dedicated to preserving, salvaging, digitizing and making available material in all forms. Researchers will find digitized publications, photographs, images, and textual records. New material will be added to the site and other relevant information for researchers.

The Gael Stream/Sruth nan Gaidheal project, a joint project of the Angus L. Macdonald Library and the Celtic Studies Department, was accomplished with the help of an almost $36,000 grant received by Dr. Jamie MacDonald, Celtic Studies Department, and Kathleen MacKenzie, University Archives, Angus L. Macdonald Library, from the Canada Memory Fund, Library and Archives Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage.

The website will be launch from StFX on April 29 at 4 pm Hall of the Clans, Angus L. Macdonald Library. The public is welcomed to attend.


April 20

StFX Health Researcher Probes Inequities in Access to Health Services

Research part of 23 projects to be conducted at StFX and Dalhousie Universities

ANTIGONISH, NS --- Despite a universal health care system, not all Canadians share the same health status. Part of the problem is inequities in access to health services, but there's little information about the nature and scope of these inequities.

Dr. Elizabeth McGibbon of St. Francis Xavier University will address barriers in accessing health services among rural Aboriginal and Black Canadians, as a first step toward increasing their access and improving their health status. Her research will involve community members, health services administrators and providers, and policy makers. The involvement of these groups will facilitate rapid dissemination of research results.

This research is one of 23 health-related research projects being funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in Nova Scotia. Today, The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, as well as Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, highlighted along with Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the recipients of an investment of more than $5 million to fund health research in Nova Scotia.

"Promoting ground breaking health research is a crucial component of our government's plan to build a healthy, prosperous and innovative Canada," said Minister MacKay. "The funding announced today is helping to enhance the health research capabilities of our institutions across Nova Scotia, which will benefit all Canadians."

Dr. McGibbon's study is the only one of its kind in Canada and the funding amount is almost $70,000. StFX researchers, including Dr. Agnes Calliste and Professor Elsa Arbuthnot, and community partners started the work in February, 2006 and will finish up in January of 2007. "It's very exciting to receive this kind of support from CIHR. Addressing health inequities is something that we feel very strongly about," said Dr. McGibbon.

"CIHR-funded health researchers not only create world-class knowledge that is being put to use right now, across all sectors of society, but their work also contributes to strengthening the research and training environment for young Canadians in all regions of the country," said Dr. Bernstein.

The 23 research projects funded will be conducted at St. Francis Xavier University and Dalhousie University. The studies will be carried out over periods of one to five years and cover a wide spectrum of health research.

The funding highlighted today is part of a larger package recently announced by the Minister of Health.


April 10

McMillan, Stanley, Union's top seniors

Elizabeth McMillan and Ryan Stanley are StFX's female and male senior students of the year. McMillan, of Charlottetown, PEI, received the Sr. Carmel Losier Award as senior female, while Stanley of Summerside, PEI took home the Larkin Memorial Award as senior male student at the annual Students' Union awards banquet April 10, 2006.



April 4

Aliant Rings Up $250,000 Donation to StFX

Funds Will Support New Technology Initiatives

ANTIGONISH, NS - Aliant, Atlantic Canada's leading information and communications technology provider, will donate $250,000 to St. Francis Xavier University. The funds will support the development of new technology initiatives at StFX's Antigonish campus. Planning for the development of the projects will begin immediately.

"Aliant encourages innovation across the region and is thrilled to be partnered with StFX," said Chuck Hartlen, Chief Operating Officer, Aliant Mobility. "We continue to embrace partnerships that contribute to the growth of intellectual capital and leadership in the development of communications technology in the region."

StFX is home to more than 4,300 students and nearly 900 faculty and staff. Sophisticated information technology is an increasingly important tool on the University's campus to connect students and faculty and to foster innovative research.

"Universities like StFX need to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology. This donation will help StFX be at the leading edge of leveraging technology to support learning and teaching," said Dr. Sean E. Riley, President of St. Francis Xavier University. "Aliant is an outstanding corporate citizen and everyone at StFX is grateful for this generous donation."

Further information about the Aliant-supported technology initiatives will be announced at a later date.

About Aliant*

From its home base in Atlantic Canada, Aliant delivers a wide variety of innovative and traditional communications services, including local and long distance telephony, wireless, Internet, e-commerce, interactive multimedia, data and managed network services, to more than two million consumers and over 80,000 enterprises. In addition to serving residential, small-to-medium sized business and enterprise customers in its home market, Aliant also serves business customers located in other parts of North America. Aliant complements its industry-leading telecommunications business with strengths in information technology solutions and knowledge-services applications. Aliant's approximately 8,400 employees build on its 100-plus year history by collaborating to deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice, and convenience. Aliant has a market capitalization of approximately $3.7 billion.

*On March 7, 2006, Aliant and BCE Inc. announced the creation of one of the largest regional telecommunications service providers in North America. The organizations will combine Bell Canada's wireline operations in its regional territories in Ontario and Quebec with Aliant's wireline operations and Bell's 63.4 per cent interest in the Bell Nordiq Income Fund to form a new income trust. The trust, which will have 3.4 million local access lines and over 400,000 high-speed Internet subscribers in the Atlantic Provinces, Ontario and Quebec, will be headquartered in Atlantic Canada. As part of the transaction, Bell will acquire Aliant Mobility and Aliant's DownEast Communications retail outlets. The transaction, which is expected to be completed as early as the third quarter of 2006, is subject to several closing conditions, including certain shareholder, court and regulatory approvals. For more information please visit http://www.aliant.ca.