News

Best experience ever, say Immersion Service Learning participants to Belize

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:22:18

After spending nearly two weeks in service placements in Belize with StFX’s Immersion Service Learning Program, StFX student Kathryn Ryan is more certain than ever about her future.

“This experience has been the best thing to have happened to me because it strengthened my beliefs and made me see just how privileged we are living in Canada,” says Ms. Ryan, who just finished her first year in the Bachelor of Arts program.

“Not only that, but this experience has strengthened my desire to enter the development studies program (at StFX) and has confirmed I will work internationally in the near future.”

She was one of 11 StFX students who joined with faculty leader, education professor Dr. Dan Robinson, on an experiential educational experience in Belize from April 26 to May 8, 2012.

One of five immersion placements offered by StFX this year, the group was hosted by both the village of Maya Centre, a small Mayan village in southern Belize, and the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Centre, whose focus is on preserving Belize’s natural resources.

In Maya Centre, activities focused on Mayan culture and the experience of local people following the expropriation of their land.

Through placements with the Maya Centre school and local organizations, students deepened their awareness of community development and gained an understanding of the hopes, efforts and obstacles faced by this small Mayan community.

The delegation also experienced a visit to a nearby beach, play time with village children, hiking in a local nature reserve, discussion sessions with community leaders, a visit to the local herbalist, and a cultural evening. They also completed placements at the zoo.

“I have always had a passion for international aid and development. Throughout high school, I was always involved in extracurricular activities that aided people on a global scale,” Ms. Ryan says.

“Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher and in particular one who works internationally and in developing countries because I believe that no child should be without an education.”

She says something that stood out for her was how happy and loving the children were. “They don't have much, but what they do have, they make the best of. They also love learning. I had the amazing opportunity to work with the Infant 1 and Infant 2 classes, which are the equivalent of our Grade Primary and Grade One classes. While I was working with the kids they all clamoured around me listening intently and following along, and each child was choosing to participate in the activities.

“That day also happened to be my 19th birthday, which is one I will never forget because each child ran up to me giving me hugs and birthday wishes all day--one little girl even asked me over for a sleepover!”

YOUNG LEADERS

Dr. Robinson says he came away from the experience impressed with its participants.

“The service learning experience reminded me of the quality of our students here at StFX,” he says.

“The young adults I travelled with were such great ambassadors for our university, province, and country. They were especially compassionate, and passionate, in their interactions with our hosts. Their leadership abilities amazed me every day. “

Though the students were great leaders beforehand, Dr. Robinson says their evening reflection sessions suggested that they also underwent considerable personal growth through their experience.

“They came home different people than the ones who I left with, and I think they all know it.”

The experience also made it abundantly clear how so much of privilege is based on race (as a social construction), geography, and luck. “For example, and for whatever reason, it seems easier for "tourists" to recognize injustices to Indigenous peoples in other countries, while similar happenings occur right here in Canada,” he says. “ I believe that this experience has not only given our students a firsthand experience with Indigenous peoples in Belize, but it has also given them the opportunity and ability to be more critically reflective of Canada's own failings with FNMI peoples.”

Says Dr. Robinson, “In my short time with students, I saw students laugh and I saw students cry. I witnessed strong friendships being formed in days. Clearly, this was a life-changing experience for many of our students and I am happy to have been a part of it.”

First Nation community leaders graduate from StFX Extension Department's Aboriginal Leadership Development Program

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:48:01

Thirteen leaders from First Nation communities in Nova Scotia graduated May 16, 2012 from the StFX Extension Department’s Aboriginal Leadership Development Program. The ceremony was held in the Riley Lounge in the Coady International Institute at StFX.

The program helps participants enhance their leadership skills for the good of their communities. Over the past three months, participants from seven First Nation communities have taken part in a series of interactive seminars, self-directed learning activities, and group tasks. The Aboriginal Leadership Development Program is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, and is delivered by the StFX Extension Department in partnership with the Tripartite Forum Economic Development Working Committee.

“The participants have learned about applying their leadership skills to identify and build upon assets in their own communities,” says Phil Davison, Director, StFX Extension Department. “The learning has come through sharing experiences with fellow students. All the communities in which these leaders live, as well as the region as a whole, will benefit from the participants’ knowledge, experience, skills and networks gained during this program.”

“[The Aboriginal Leadership Development Program] helped me recognize my leadership qualities through past work experiences, education and journeys I took through my life,” said Rebekah Price, program participant. “This program was a great learning opportuinity that will stick with me throughout my life.”

Graduates included: Janice Basque; Mary-Louise Bernard; Nadine Bernard; Wallace Bernard; Charlotte Brooks; Sarah Clark; Samantha Francis; Stan Johnson; Beverly Julian; Chasity Meuse; Kim Milley; Jeanette Paul; and Rebekah Price.

Psychology students excel at Science Atlantic conference

Thu, 17 May 2012 06:46:42

StFX’s four-student delegation to the 36th annual Science Atlantic Undergraduate Psychology Conference held May 8-9 in Wolfville, NS was quite successful with two students winning top prizes.

Chrissy Macaulay won the NSERC Undergraduate Student Oral Presentation Award for her presentation, A Test of Mindfulness Meditation Versus Hatha Yoga for Reducing Anxiety Sensitivity, and Diane Ross won the Karen Nicholson Memorial Award given for the best neuropsychology-related presentation. Her presentation was entitled, Cannabinoid Treatment of Ischemic Brain Injury: Extent of Tissue Damage and Behavioural Impairments.

Chrissy Macaulay

Diane Ross

The other StFX student delegates, Sara Lutz and Heidi Collicutt, also created a great deal of interest in their research, says StFX psychology professor Dr. John McKenna, who chairs the Science Atlantic Psychology Division.

All participants enjoyed the informative and lively exchange of ideas with other delegates, he said.

“Thank you to our delegates for representing StFX and our psychology program so commendably.”

The annual conference brings together undergraduate psychology students from across Atlantic Canada. It not only provides students with a chance to socialize, network, and learn about research in the region, graduate schools and professional programs, it gives the students the chance to gain experience presenting research. Most students present their honours thesis project.

StFX human nutrition lab instructor wins national award for student mentoring

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:34:39

StFX human nutrition lab instructor Brenda Hanlon has been awarded the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals (CAFP) National President’s Award.

The National President’s Award was given to Ms. Hanlon for her outstanding contribution to fostering student development and mentoring students in CAFP branches across Canada.

Brenda Hanlon

“Brenda connects with students from the first semester of their first-year and stays connected with them throughout their time at StFX and beyond,” says Dr. Doris Gillis, chair of StFX's Human Nutrition Department. “Not only does she teach students food-related skills, she guides them in developing their capacity for successful learning and living. She is highly respected by her students and her colleagues.”

Ms. Hanlon has been an active member of the Northumberland Branch of CAFP and an enthusiastic advisor for the StFX CAFP student branch. She serves on the CAFP national board of directors and last year assumed the role of national vice president of student development.

Ms. Hanlon received the award at the national conference in London, Ontario on May 5th.

About CAFP:

CAFP was founded over 110 years ago to support foodservice and hospitality industry professionals. It focuses on continuing education and lifelong learning for its diverse professional membership including industry executives, food service suppliers, operators, manufacturers, sales professionals, educators, government employees, the military, and consultants. CAFP provides food professionals opportunities to attain professional credentialing with the Credentialed Foodservice Executive (CFE) Program.

CAFP supports student branches with over 500 students in related foodservice fields nationwide. Students are encouraged to participate in meetings, become credentialed, and to access generous regional and national bursaries. This mentorship and support continues as student members become professional members and begin their careers, often with work opportunities resulting from their networking contacts built through CAFP.

Beetle Undertakers - Research by Randy Lauff of StFX's Biology Department featured on CBC's Quirks and Quarks

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:54:06

Research conducted by Randy Lauff of StFX’s Biology Department and honours student Amanda Lowe has not only unearthed new insight into the burying beetle, it gained national attention as part of a CBC Quirks and Quarks interview with Mr. Lauff that aired across Canada on May 5, 2012.

“The burying beetle is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including all across Canada. It is 1 to 3 centimetres long, which makes it large for a beetle. As the name implies, this beetle is known to bury a dead mouse, for example, then apply an antifungal compound to the carcass in order to preserve it as a food source for its young. Burying beetles are also known to inhabit trees, but it was not known if they used carrion in this way in the forest canopy,” the CBC interview says.

“But new research by Randy Lauff from the Department of Biology at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, has found that burying beetles are capable of the same behaviour in the treetops. In an experiment using nest-boxes lined with soil, the beetles would bury a dead bird or chick just as they would on the ground. They beetles would then mate, then feed their young grubs off the carcass. In trees, beetles make use of material from abandoned bird nests, as well as leaf litter, to bury a food source.”

Randy Lauff, in an earlier photo, displays some specimens of the insect collection at StFX

The paper being discussed in the interview appeared in Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, and can be downloaded here http://www.hindawi.com/journals/psyche/2012/578650/

“Basically, my honours student, Amanda Lowe, and I decided to test whether burying beetles would reproduce in the forest canopy. Almost a hundred years of research on these beetles’ reproduction has been focused on the ground, normally in the forest but some species use more open habitats,” says Mr. Lauff, StFX’s curator of zoology, part-time biology professor, and full-time senior lab instructor.

Hanging nest boxes in the canopy, they were able to produce the first ever records of these beetles breeding anywhere but on the ground.

The Quirks and Quarks interview can be heard at www.cbc.ca/quirks or as a podcast at www.cbc.ca/podcasting/

StFX graduates over 1,000, honours four distinguished individuals during Spring Convocation 2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:20:55

“Welcome to Spring Convocation 2012, a day of celebration for over 1,000 graduates,” StFX President Dr. Sean Riley said in opening remarks as nearly 1,030 new graduates marched across the stage at StFX’s Charles V. Keating Centre on May 6 to receive academic degrees and diplomas.

On a day filled with pride and accomplishment, StFX also honoured four distinguished individuals during the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

Speeches:

Receiving the degree Doctor of Laws honoris causa were director, community volunteer, and retired senior executive, Susan E. Crocker of Toronto, ON; renowned scientist, StFX graduate, and Antigonish native Dr. Allan H. MacDonald, now of Austin, Texas; and StFX alumni, businessmen, community champions, and brothers, Paul D. O’Regan (posthumously) and Stephen M. O’Regan of Dartmouth, NS.

Three StFX faculty members were also honoured with significant awards during the day’s events.

The Outstanding Teaching Award was presented to both biology professor Dr. Russell Wyeth, and to history and women’s and gender studies professor Dr. Nancy Forestell.

Religious studies professor Dr. Margaret Y. MacDonald was recognized for her scholarly achievement with the University Research Award.

Today is a day to give congratulations, Dr. Riley said, especially to those who have overcome significant obstacles on the road to graduation and to international students who have studied in a foreign language far from home.

Dr. Riley also said convocation is an ideal time to thank faculty for their teaching, scholarship, and mentorship; staff for their outstanding devotion; and members of the Class of 2012 for all they have done to make StFX better.

Dr. Sean Riley with some members of the Class of 2012

Mary O’Regan, wife of the late Paul O’Regan, received a standing ovation for her inspiring address on his behalf. She said her husband would have encouraged graduates to not be afraid of failure – to view it as a learning experience and build upon it. She also spoke about his belief in the importance of mentorship and giving back.

“It is a great privilege to accept this degree. Paul would have felt very honoured, and oh so proud.”

Stephen O’Regan, in his address, also advised students to not give up on an opportunity if it’s something they really want. “Far too many great opportunities are lost because of throwing in the towel too early,” he said as he talked about his own career.

He also talked about the gratitude he felt academically to StFX, and the friendships he made along the way. “One of the great things about StFX is the wonderful friends that I made here. Many will remain your friends for life.”

All of Paul and Stephen O’Regan’s children have attended StFX.

In his address, honorary degree recipient Dr. MacDonald advised graduates to try to understand and follow their values in life, to nurture relationships with family and friends, and to never follow the crowd, but their own instincts. “Passions trumps prudence on the list of life virtues,” he said.

Dr. Crocker, who first became involved with StFX through the Coady International Institute, says it was these words that originally caught her eye: Global. Leadership. Microfinance. Women. “Here in Canada, in Antigonish, at this university, (you have) over a half century of history of helping people help themselves.” StFX students have had wonderful opportunity to walk the paths, study in the library, and eat at meal hall with these motivated adult leaders, she says.

“No question, we received an education, one that has enriched us in who we are as individuals,” senior class speaker Jocelyn Fraser, a biology graduate from Summerside, PEI, said in the morning ceremony. She thanked parents, professors and friends, quoting song lyrics, “I’ve had the time of my life and I owe it all to you.”

Senior class speaker Telsyn Doucette, a political science major from North Rustico, PEI, brought congratulations for the Class of 2012 during the afternoon convocation.

Alumni Association president Shawn Monahan encouraged students to stay connected with Canada’s most loyal alumni network, 42,000 members strong. “Never forget the StFX alumni family will always be there, ready to help you along the way.”

“This X-Ring is a sign of your achievement,” he told the graduating class.

The 2012 Medalists Graduating Class

The University Silver Medal awarded for the highest average in the final three years of an honours, advanced major or major degree program

Bachelor of Science to:
Shawn Albert Brophy, Antigonish, NS

Bachelor of Science in Nursing to:
Rachelle Anne Ramsay, Calgary, AB

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition to:
Paula Marie Horsley, Red Deer, AB

Bachelor of Arts/Science in Human Kinetics to:
Emily Frances Kehoe, Port Williams, NS

The University Gold Medal for the highest average in the two years of the Diploma in Engineering program to:
Cyril Gregory Dunn, Sydney, NS

The University Gold Medal for the highest average in the two years of the Bachelor of Education program to:
Laura Crystal Connors, Lower Sackville, NS

The University Gold Medal for the highest average in the final three years of an honours program in the Faculty of Science to:
Shawn Albert Brophy, Antigonish, NS

University Silver Medal awarded for the highest average in the final three years of an honours, advanced major or major degree program

Bachelor of Arts to:
Anne Catherine Baccardax, Port Hawkesbury, NS

Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts in Music to:
Matthew Colin MacDougall, Sydney, NS

The Gerald Schwartz School of Business:

The Silver Medal for the highest average in the final three years of Bachelor of Information Systems to:
Robert Keith Reginald Wellon, Labrador City, NL

ONEX Corporation Gold Medal for the highest average in the final three years of Bachelor of Business Administration to:
Heather Snow, Ajax, ON

The Governor General Medal for the highest average in the final three years of an honours program in the Faculty of Arts to:
Anne Catherine Baccardax, Port Hawkesbury, NS

A list of prize winners and the graduation list can be found at http://www.stfx.ca/about/convocation/prizelist/ and http://www.stfx.ca/about/convocation/gradlist

Watch Convocation live; StFX graduating class Facebook cover photos

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:42:37

Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

Spring Convocation is nearly here. If you have family and friends who can't be on campus to celebrate with you in person on Sunday, May 6, please invite them to watch the ceremony live online at StFX.ca.

We will also be live-tweeting during Convocation, so please join in the conversation. The StFX Twitter handle is @stfxuniversity.

Where: StFX.ca
When: Sunday, May 6, 2012

Morning ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. (ADT)
Afternoon ceremony begins at 3 p.m. (ADT)

To mark your achievement, we have created a cover photo to use on Facebook (please see downloadable images at www.facebook.com/stfxuniversity). Let everyone know that you have officially joined the Xaverian family.

There are also images for your friends and family to share this tremendous achievement.

Congratulations Class of 2012!

StFX's Dr. Keith De'Bell and Dr. Michael Steinitz inducted into Science Atlantic Hall of Fame

Tue, 01 May 2012 07:52:44

StFX student Christopher van Bommel wins 50th Anniversary Student Travel Scholarship

Congratulations to StFX Associate Vice-President Research Dr. Keith De'Bell and to StFX physics professor Dr. Michael Steinitz, who were inducted as members of the Science Atlantic Hall of Fame as Outstanding Contributing Members at the gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of Science Atlantic (formerly APICS), held April 27, 2012 at the Discovery Centre in Halifax, NS.

The Outstanding Members Hall of Fame is intended to honour individuals who have shown exemplary and outstanding service to Science Atlantic. The inaugural awards were presented this year, to celebrate the APICS/Science Atlantic 50th anniversary year, and focused on members who have made exceptional contributions to the founding and development of APICS/Science Atlantic.

Both Dr. Steinitz and Dr. De’Bell have made significant contributions to Science Atlantic, an organization dedicated to advancing post-secondary science education and research in Atlantic Canada by providing opportunities that foster and enrich students; supporting and inspiring researchers and educators; and using its collective voice to address important regional science issues.

“It is an honour to have worked with Science Atlantic that brings together science, education, and research and particularly highlights research by undergraduates,” says Dr. De’Bell.

“Science Atlantic has been an important part of our work at StFX since its founding. Many of our physics students have made their first scientific presentation at one of its Atlantic undergraduate physics and astronomy conferences, gaining experience that helped them greatly in their careers,” Dr. Steinitz says. “Many have won prizes and many have gone on to distinguished careers, even becoming professors at StFX!"

Also during the evening celebration, StFX mathematics student Christopher van Bommel was honoured when he was chosen as recipient of one of three 50th Anniversary Student Travel Scholarships. His father, Dr. Martin van Bommel, a StFX computer science professor, accepted the award for him.

The three exceptional undergraduate students were chosen from a large pool of applicants to attend national or international academic conferences. Selection was based on academic record, the student’s acceptance as a presenter at the conference, the letter of support from the supervisor, the conference itself, and the overall quality of the student's application and experience.

A large delegation from StFX attended the gala celebration. Among the group were Dr. van Bommel, the outgoing Computer Science Committee Chair and executive member at large; Dr. Brendan Murphy, the incoming Chair of the Earth Sciences Committee; Dr. John McKenna, the incoming Chair of the Psychology Committee; and retired professor Dr. Zoe Hayes, a past council chair.

StFX alumnus Eric Gillis nominated to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:06:50

Congratulations to 2004 StFX alumnus, X-Man cross-country alumnus, and Antigonish, NS native Eric Gillis, one of three marathoners nominated to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team during an event in Guelph, ON on April 26, 2012.

Pictured here, left to right, Eric Gillis, Reid Coolsaet (Hamilton, ON.) and Dylan Wykes (Kingston, ON.) celebrate their nomination to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team.

Here’s a link to the April 27, 2012 Halifax Chronicle-Herald story on Eric Gillis: http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/90740-antigonish-runner-named-to-olympic-squad

StFX human nutrition students snag coveted summer foodservice management internship program spots in the U.S.

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:07:22

The National Association of College & University Foodservice (NACUFS), an association for foodservice professionals at nearly 600 institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and abroad, offers a paid eight-week foodservice management internship program every summer.

Twenty-five colleges and universities in the U.S. volunteer to host internship applicants at their institutions to help students learn more about the exciting opportunities available in the growing industry of college/university dining services.

StFX human nutrition students have applied for and been successful in obtaining one or more of these coveted internship positions every year since 2009. In many instances, StFX students have been the only Canadian students accepted in this program.

Two human nutrition students graduating in May 2012 are successful applicants. Leah Creaser of Lunenburg, NS spent last summer at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, and Grace Trigg of Timberlea, NS is looking forward to spending this summer at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.

Students say the internship is an amazing opportunity and tremendous learning experience.

“I have not only gained valuable skills and knowledge through this experience, but have experienced personal growth as well,” Ms. Creaser says.

“The NACUFS Foodservice Management Internship was a truly wonderful experience which opened my eyes and expanded my horizons.”

Ms. Trigg says she is expecting the internship to not only be educational and interesting, but also a great insight into a potential future career path. “I am very grateful for this unique opportunity and can't wait to get started!”

StFX human nutrition students who have taken part in this program since 2009 are:

• 2012 Grace Trigg of Timberlea, NS at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
• 2011 Leah Creaser of Lunenburg, NS at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan
• 2010 Christie Charles of Gananoque, ON at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
• 2010 Caitlin Clarke of Cole Harbour, NS at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
• 2009 Julia Robertson of Ottawa, ON at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

Show Me Your Math! Fair brings over 270 Mi'kmaw students to the StFX campus

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:14:22

Over 270 Mi’kmaw elementary to high school students from across Nova Scotia will come together on the StFX campus May 2 to celebrate math and cultural heritage during the annual Show Me Your Math! regional fair.

The fair, showcasing school projects detailing the math inherent in the Mi’kmaw culture, will be held at StFX’s Bloomfield Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

This year, Primary to Grade 12 students from Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Strait Regional School Board, and the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board will present individual and group math projects completed this year.

“It’s designed to get kids to think about how math is a part of their own cultural heritage,” says Dr. Lisa Lunney Borden, StFX education professor and one of the organizers.

As part of their course work, students pair with elders, community craftspeople, family members, and friends on projects that explore the role of math in their everyday lives. The projects not only connect math with community culture, they show students that math reasoning is an important part of their culture, she says.

Students learn lessons about the importance of Pi in crafting quill boxes, spatial reasoning inherent in traditional baking, and how math plays a role whether it be in constructing a canoe or traditional drums.

One of the project’s main benefits is it allows students to explore math in their own culture and see that it is an important part of their heritage, which promotes a more positive attitude about learning math, says Dr. Lunney Borden.

“It takes it out of the textbook and makes it real.”

And it lives as a legacy, she says, capturing the conversations with elders and knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

The seeds of the idea began when Dr. Lunney Borden, who spent 10 years as a high school math teacher at a Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey school, was doing doctoral studies. Her supervisor at UNB, Dr. Dave Wagner, had an NSERC Crystal grant to bring science to the community. He was looking at ethno-mathematics in various cultures.

The two began working with Aboriginal elders, collecting stories on how they used math in their everyday lives.

“We were getting these stories and we soon started thinking it shouldn’t be us filtering these stories. We should have the kids talk to the elders,” Dr. Lunney Borden says.

When they spoke about the idea with teachers, the project went one step further when the teachers suggested a math fair to celebrate the work.

The annual fair has been a hit.

“It’s amazing anytime you see young students talking about math for three hours and getting excited about it,” Dr Lunney Borden says.

She says a follow-up conference involving elders and teachers will be held in June to look at creating math lessons drawn from these projects.

StFX students develop prototype to help health district manage hospital lab operations

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:57:11

Health officials at the Guysborough Antigonish Regional Health Authority (GASHA) may soon be able to better monitor and manage hospital lab operations thanks to a team of fourth year StFX information systems students.

Six students working on the GASHA Business Intelligence Lab Utilization Project – a class project in Dr. Neil Foshay’s fourth year IS majors course – were able to successfully develop a working prototype to allow the health authority to use data in a more meaningful way.

The project may have far-reaching effects.

Currently, some health districts, including GASHA, gather lab statistics with a very manually intensive and time consuming process. “So from a resource perspective, this project offers some huge advantages,” says Shawna Brown, GAHSA’s Director of Laboratory Service.

“Data is readily available, almost instantaneously, in a presentable format, without the added risk of human error from manual processes and without delay.”

She says quicker business decisions can be made based on the integrity of this data. “Results can be compared, trended and used to ensure that our healthcare tax dollars are spent where they can have the most positive outcomes to patient care. We need to be accountable and the StFX/GASHA initiative provides the tools necessary to make this happen.”

GASHA VP-Operations David MacKenzie says prior to discussions with Dr. Foshay, they were looking at improving their exporting routine from a flat file NPR report from MEDITECH to pivot tables in excel.

“What the students provided was an interactive Cognos application that filters data through SSIS with a new interface developed with Health Information Technology Services (HITS) Nova Scotia. This application was not only developed with our needs in mind, but with all laboratory services supports through HITS,” he says.

Ms. Brown says Dr. Foshay and the students developed Cognos much farther than it has ever gone, in a very short period of time. “What they have accomplished is outstanding. They obtained results, answered what has gone unanswered, and left it in a structure that allows for optimal growth of data collation and reporting. As well, the students are an extremely professional group of individuals, a joy to work with. They have very bright futures ahead.”

The students exceeded expectations ten-fold, agrees Mr. MacKenzie.

“From a local quality improvement initiative to a new provincial application, the StFX team has displayed the skills required to raise the bar and excel in world of information management.”

The project may be one that could be spread across the province.

“The initial scope of the project focuses on the local health district, GASHA. However, the students designed the solution so that with virtually no effort and cost, it can be expanded to cover the entire province,” Dr. Foshay says.

“This was an important design consideration, and the students did an excellent job making this a reality.”

Calling it the most ambitious and complicated project he has seen in his class, Dr. Foshay said the project is a testament to this smart, dedicated group of students: Chris Belliveau, Jenna Burge, Benjamin Burns, Benjamin Kane, Stephen Mahoney, and Robert Wellon.

The project came about through Dr. Foshay’s research with GASHA on how to integrate business intelligence – the ability to analyze information so managers and physicians can make more informed decisions – in the health care system.

The next steps will include GASHA and HITS officials reviewing the prototype and deciding on how they would like to proceed.

Earlier this month, the six students were on hand at the Schwartz School of Business to present their results.

Dr. Foshay (forefront) introduces the project during the student presentation.

The StFX team presented their results in the Schwartz School of Business

During the presentation, they spoke of key lessons learned from the intensive experience including the importance of communication, data quality, learning to plan ahead, the importance of details, and understanding which questions to ask and how to ask them, all lessons they hope to use in their future careers.

Ms. Burge says the project challenged them with issues they will encounter in industry and was invaluable in readying them to be part of that world. “It was a really great learning experience right before we enter the working world.”

StFX honours four, set to graduate over 1,000 at Spring Convocation 2012

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:00:14

Over 1,000 students will receive academic degrees and diplomas, and StFX will honour four outstanding individuals during Spring Convocation 2012 taking place at the Charles V. Keating Centre on Sunday, May 6.

The degree Doctor of Laws honoris causa will be conferred upon director, community volunteer, and retired senior executive Susan E. Crocker of Toronto, ON; and renowned scientist and StFX graduate Dr. Allan H. MacDonald of Austin, Texas during the morning ceremony; and upon StFX alumni, businessmen, community champions, and brothers, Paul D. O’Regan (posthumously) and Stephen M. O’Regan of Dartmouth, NS during the afternoon convocation.

The morning ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m., and degrees or diplomas in course will be conferred in graduate studies, adult education, education, science, nursing, human nutrition, human kinetics, engineering and integrated dietetic internship.

The afternoon ceremony, which begins at 3 p.m., will see degrees and diplomas in course conferred in arts, business administration, information systems, music and jazz studies.

Honorary degree recipients include:

Susan E. Crocker
Toronto, ON
Susan Crocker is a director and community volunteer based in Toronto, ON. She chairs the Toronto Arts Foundation, co-chairs the Board of the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the Royal Ontario Museum, and is a recent museum trustee. She is a past chair of the Canadian Stage Company, and past chair and board member of the Board of Management of St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. She is an appointee to the City of Toronto Mayor’s Arts Task Force, chairs the Coady International Institute’s Advisory Board, and is a Governor of StFX. Career highlights include CEO of Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan, senior executive positions at The Toronto Stock Exchange, partner with Ernst and Young Management Consulting and senior executive roles with CIBC in New York and Toronto. She is a past director of public company boards including Suncor Energy Inc., Brascan Financial Corporation and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust.

Dr. Allan H. MacDonald
Austin, Texas
Professor Allan H. MacDonald received his B.Sc. in physics from StFX, and his PhD from the University of Toronto. He was a research scientist at the National Research Council of Canada (1978-87), physics professor at Indiana University (1987-2000), and has held visiting positions at the Max Plank Institute for Solid State Research, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the California Institute of Technology. In 2000, he joined the University of Texas at Austin as the Sid W. Richardson Professor of Physics. He has authored research articles on a wide variety of topics in the theory of condensed matter. Prof. MacDonald received the Herzberg Medal in 1987 the Buckley Prize in 2007, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science and the United States National Academy of Sciences.

Paul D. O’Regan
Dartmouth, NS
A remarkable businessman and community champion, the late Paul D. O’Regan was born and raised in Parrsboro, NS. He worked at the family’s car business, but chose the teaching profession after completing studies at StFX and Dalhousie. After an eight-year teaching career, he returned to the automobile business in 1973, starting with a used car lot in Dartmouth, NS. Joined by brother Stephen in 1981, they built O’Regan’s Automotive Group into one of Canada’s largest automotive organizations, receiving several significant awards. Mr. O’Regan was highly respected in the industry, where he served on the Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Association and many national committees. He received the inaugural Canadian Automobile Dealers Association Ambassador Laureaute Award. Extensively involved in community organizations, including serving on the StFX Board of Governors and the Coady Advisory Committee, he was dedicated to helping others and inspiring success.

Stephen M. O’Regan
Dartmouth, NS
Stephen O’Regan is an outstanding businessman and community leader. A graduate of StFX and the Technical University of Nova Scotia (mechanical engineering), he spent 19 years with General Electric and later Nova Scotia Power Corporation before returning to his automotive roots in 1981, joining brother Paul in the automobile industry. Today, O’Regan’s is one of the largest automotive organizations in Canada, winning several national awards. Mr. O’Regan was elected chair of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, and served on numerous industry committees. An active philanthropist and community volunteer, he has served on numerous boards in Halifax-Dartmouth, co-chaired The Ship’s Company Theatre capital campaign in his hometown of Parrsboro, NS, and has been a longtime supporter of the Coady International Institute. He is a recipient of Rotary International’s distinguished Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

Residence Life staff honoured with recognition awards

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:39

StFX’s Residence Services team recently honoured four student members of the Residence Life staff for their work and accomplishments with awards presented during the Residence Life Recognition banquet held April 12.

Receiving honours were Ian Squires and Katy Grosicki as the Male and Female Staff Members of the Year, respectively; Katie Wilcox with the StFX Commitment to Excellence Award; and the Rookie of the Year to Laura Moreira-Andrews.

Male Staff Member of the Year – Ian Squires
This award is given to a male Residence Life staff member who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to their residential community through program development, leadership, crisis response, addressing student needs, and supporting peer and senior staff.

Female Staff Member of the Year – Katy Grosicki
This award is given to a female Residence Life staff member who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to their residential community through program development, leadership, crisis response, addressing student needs, and supporting peer and senior staff.

StFX Commitment to Excellence – Katie Wilcox
This award goes to a member of the Residence Life staff who has shown outstanding leadership and dedication to developing an environment for student success in keeping with the aims of Residence Services.

Rookie of the Year – Laura Moreira-Andrews
The award goes to a member of the Residence Life staff who, in their first year on staff, has shown exceptional dedication and leadership to students and fellow staff members.

New book by Dr. Peter Clancy explores politics of the Scotian Basin on Canada’s east coast

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:54:44

The significance of offshore oil and gas development extends far beyond the discoveries and production platforms around Sable Island, according to a new book by StFX political science professor Dr. Peter Clancy.

In Offshore Petroleum Politics: Regulation and Risk in the Scotian Basin, published in the autumn of 2011 by UBC Press, Dr. Clancy sees the oil and gas discoveries posing challenges to public policies of both the federal and provincial governments.

For more than 40 years, oil and gas explorers have probed the continental shelf lands of Nova Scotia. Three waves of intensive investment have been punctuated by sudden slumps, owing to global market conditions, public policy changes and shifts in geological prospectivity. This study traces the fluctuations.

“Two of the most powerful force fields affecting Scotian basin petroleum are those of federalism and the market,” he says. These play out on a complex canvas of conflicting business and political interests.

“The signature feature of offshore petroleum politics is that its sectoral unity breaks down under close analysis” Dr. Clancy writes. In elaborating, the book covers a wide range of policy sub-sectors, from exploration and production licensing to strategies for onshore industrial supply, royalty and tax arrangements, onshore gas distribution within Nova Scotia, the rival liquid natural gas industry and a potential future challenge over offshore Aboriginal rights.

Dr. Clancy also develops a model of oil and gas development to explain the shifting political coalitions and technical pressures faced by government agencies and corporations. “The need to manage fields and basins throughout the full development cycle is increasingly evident. However policy design, approval and implementation are quite separate political challenges.”