Breaking records: Omena Babalola MBA'92 sprints towards success

Omena Babalola, center, runs at a university track event

Omena Babalola's story is all about pushing limits and reaching for the stars. The MBA'92 alum started on the tracks of Saint Mary's University and later made a big splash as a leader and role model in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her time at SMU wasn't just about snagging a degree—it was about smashing records, setting the bar high and building a legacy that keeps on inspiring.

When she arrived in Canada in the fall of 1989, Omena was all about soaking up the culture, and she figured getting an MBA at Saint Mary's was the perfect shot at doing just that. Choosing Saint Mary's for its friendly vibe, top-notch outdoor track, and being close enough to family in Prince Edward Island, she kicked off an adventure that would forever stamp her mark on the university's history books.

Omena earned Athlete of the Week, shown here in a 1991 edition of the SMU Journal

Omena handled her sports career with great grit and grace. The fact there weren't any other women sprinters didn't get her down. If anything, it made her push even harder, often training with the guys who backed her up and pushed her forward. Her outstanding performances in the 60m and 300m sprints broke records that are still standing, showing just how unstoppable she is.

Her time at SMU was enriched by the wonderful African student community, who she could always count on to cheer her on at each race. Despite being the only woman sprinter on the team, her determination brought more women into sprint events and strengthened the women's sprint team at Saint Mary's.

Omena Babalola MBA’92

After leaving Saint Mary's, Omena brought the lessons of hard work, teamwork and resilience with her as she transitioned to professional and community life in Winnipeg. She has had a remarkable career as a Professional Auditor, earning numerous designations, all while dedicating herself to mentoring young people and supporting her community. Her success off the track is a testament to the excellence she strived for in her athletic career.

Omena is currently an Alumni-in-Residence with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and recently hosted a series of events: From New Horizons to Thriving Ventures: The Immigrant Entrepreneurial Odyssey. The final event of the summer series takes place on August 19.

Learn more about her Alumni-in-Residence position with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Back to B4: Class of '81 Vanier housemates reunite

Reliving glory days and cherished memories

Friends from the Class of 1981 reunited on campus

At the end of June, a few members of the Class of '81 reunited in town and requested a nostalgic tour of their old residence floor and rooms at SMU.

Leading the group was Casey Shouse BA'81, who traveled from New Hampshire. Accompanied by Shauna Prest Higgins BSc'81, Pat Faye Scallian BSc'81 and Heather Grant Rhodenizer BA'81, the group meandered through the familiar corridors of "Hen Alley." They admired the enduring murals and made their way up to Vanier House, where B4 still held a special place in their hearts.

"Not a lot has changed, but at the same time, so much has changed," Shouse reflected as they revisited their old residence rooms. "There are so many great memories."

Casey Shouse in her former B4 residence room

Their visit also included a search for a commemorative tree planted in honour of a classmate who had passed away. After exploring the quad, they eventually identified the now towering tree by the plaque nearby.

The day was a journey down memory lane for the group, whose friendships have stood the test of time since their residence days 43 years ago. They left with a bag of SMU goodies, a gift from the Alumni Office, and a renewed sense of Husky pride.

Campus community fights food insecurity

The shelves are full at the SMU Community Food Room after another successful Annual Food Drive Competition 

Thanks to the generous faculty, staff and alumni who participated in last month’s Food Drive Competition, more than 3,000 pounds of food was donated to the SMU Community Food Room! Hosted annually by the Alumni Office, this year’s food drive results exceeded the 2023 record.

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre team “The IncrEDIBLES” won the 2024 Annual Food Drive Competition in support of the SMU Community Food Room

Congratulations to the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre team “The IncrEDIBLES”, who won the competition by contributing 1,207 lbs of food. As the winning team, they receive a trophy and a pizza party! The Accounting Department team “Rounding Errors” and the University Secretariat team “Get on board for food!” placed second and third.

In total, 11 teams participated and raised a total of 3,054 lbs of food, which was weighed in by student volunteers on July 25. Teams were awarded bonus points for collecting the most requested items by Food Room users, such as cereal, rice, and canned goods.

The Alumni Office would like to thank the faculty, staff, and alumni who made financial contributions during the competition. These contributions allowed the Food Room to purchase much-needed items with some flexibility. Members of the SMU community can donate to the Food Room anytime and receive a tax receipt for their donation.

"I am deeply grateful to every department that participated with such enthusiasm in the Annual Food Drive Competition,” says Yeshani Sugunendran, Community Food Room Coordinator. “The passion and excitement each participant brought to supporting this vital cause was incredibly inspiring. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to SMU Alumni for organizing this event and a special gratitude to the volunteers from the SMU Community Food Room, whose exceptional assistance was pivotal to the food drive's outstanding success. Their dedication to collecting, weighing, and stacking an impressive 3,054 lbs of food, compared to 2,100 lbs last year, was truly remarkable."  

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About the Food Room 

The SMU Community Food Room is the on-campus food bank for the Saint Mary’s University community. The food room saw 3,855 appointments booked between May 2023 and April 2024, an increase from 3,248 in the previous year. Students can book an appointment with the Community Food Room.

Acclaimed multi-sport athlete turned CBC sports broadcaster

Signa Butler BA’96 Hons’98

As a kid, Signa Butler BA’96 Hons’98 was an early and committed sports fan. She read the sports section of the newspaper from front to back and routinely begged her parents to let her stay up and watch Hockey Night in Canada. She was also the only girl talking sports in the schoolyard with all the guys.

“My ultimate choice of career was not a surprise to anyone who knew me back then,” laughs the CBC Sports play-by-play commentator, host, and writer. Her career spans 20 years, 12 Olympic Games, and a long stint as the national morning sports host. Today, Signa is one of the only women on the network who does play-by-play for a growing list of sports, including freestyle skiing, speed skating, diving, volleyball and soccer.

Growing up in Halifax in the 1980s and 1990s, Signa was always a multi-sport athlete. She played soccer and basketball and was a competitive gymnast, all before high school. When she started at St. Patrick’s High, she added indoor field hockey to the mix. For the next three years, she played soccer, basketball and field hockey at the varsity and provincial levels.

Upon graduation, Signa was recruited by several universities but chose Saint Mary’s because it was a school she was already super familiar with. Her parents, Richard and Christine, are both alumni. She’d grown up going to Saint Mary’s sports camps, and their whole family had attended countless Huskies games over the years.

While her goal was to play both soccer and basketball at University, she soon realized that her greater strength and her best potential lay in soccer. And she was lucky enough to have not one but three phenomenal coaches during her five years at Saint Mary’s.

Two of them—Linda Whitehead and Joanne Evans—were head coaches at a time when not many women were in that role. “They fought really hard for resources and equality in those early days,” says Signa, adding that their passion and dedication inspired a group of young women who were student-athletes.

Joanne Evans BSc’89 BEd ’90, head coach from 1995-1997, was similarly impressed with Signa. “She was not only an accomplished soccer player but an excellent team captain, leading with integrity and determination,” says Joanne, who had been a star Huskies soccer player herself. Calling her a “firecracker,” Joanne says Signa was a natural leader, full of the kind of spunk and personality that has made her a success at CBC Sports. “As a Saint Mary’s alumna, I’m so proud to watch Signa advocate for women’s sports across Canada and around the world.”

A firecracker, indeed. During her time on the Huskies women’s soccer team, Signa received numerous awards and accolades. She was a four-time Atlantic University All-Star, AUS MVP, and a first-team All-Canadian in her fifth and final year.

SMU Huskies women’s soccer 1993-1994 team

In addition to making life-long friendships, she fondly remembers the team’s early morning runs at Point Pleasant, the sound of sneakers on the gravel paths as they sprinted up the hills of Halifax’s urban seaside park.  And then there was the Nova Scotia weather during hurricane season when one side of the turf was a lake and the other was a wind tunnel that the ball got stuck in!

Signa credits Saint Mary’s and some of the legendary professors she had in both the English and Political Science departments with creating a foundation for future learning and growth. In fact, it was at Saint Mary’s where some of the building blocks toward her dream of being a sports broadcaster came together. She worked as a writer for the university’s student newspaper, the Journal, covering sports of all kinds, and in her fifth year, took on the role of Editor. She then applied to Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), earning herself a Masters in Journalism.

Signa and her father Rick at the 2018 Homecoming Soccer Alumni Reunion

Signa marvels at how far female university sports, and women’s sports in general, have come in the 25 years since she graduated. “Being a female university athlete in the 1990s, you were largely invisible. You weren’t in newspapers, you didn’t have access to a lot of resources or the best field times, and you probably had to fundraise or pay for your uniform out of your own pocket,” she says. “We were thought of as lesser than everyone else. And I think I’ve taken that lesson and flipped it.”

In her current job, she uses her position to leverage the stories of women athletes, coaches and women’s teams. In her writing, she makes a point of highlighting the women’s side of sport, often choosing an athlete or a sport that is a little lesser known and sending a little airtime their way. “These women deserve to be in the headlines as much as anyone else.”

She’s especially excited these days about the Canadian Women’s Volleyball team who have a female head coach—the only female head coach in the top 30 nations in the world—and who seem poised to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

To say that Signa loves her job is a massive understatement. She feels grateful to have made her dream of becoming a sports commentator come true and has a piece of advice for other young women coming up in sports. It’s something she wishes she’d been able to tell herself during her own university sports career:

“You belong here. You deserve to be here.”

Join Saint Mary’s Alumni in celebrating the 50th anniversary of women in varsity sport at Homecoming this October.

RBC Talent Hub at Saint Mary’s hosts virtual series on immigrant entrepreneurs

Omena Babalola MBA’92

This summer, the RBC Talent Hub is offering a virtual series highlighting the experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada.

This informative series, led by distinguished professional and Alumni-In-Residence Omena Babalola MBA’92, promises valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in Canada's diverse business landscape.

Located within the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, the RBC Talent Hub is a cornerstone for student success and fostering entrepreneurial spirit. Through co-operative placements, targeted training programs and mentorship opportunities with leading Canadian professionals, the Hub equips students with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in the job market.

Omena Babalola possesses a wealth of expertise in diverse areas such as management, accounting, finance, risk management, audit and information technology. For the past eighteen years, she has lent her auditing expertise to Manitoba Hydro, specializing in information technology, contracts, and operational engagements.

Upcoming events include:

• July 8: Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Driving Innovation and Growth in Canada

• July 22: Resilience and Resourcefulness: Traits of Successful Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Canada

• August 19: The Impact of Diversity: How Immigrant Entrepreneurs Enrich Canada's Business Landscape

Commerce student wins Excellence Award for PRME North America Student Leadership

Adrianna Timmons, center, accepts her PRME award

Adrianna Timmons, a dedicated third-year Bachelor of Commerce student at the Sobey School of Business, has been honoured with the Excellence Award for PRME North America Student Leadership. This prestigious award is presented to a remarkable student leader who demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing the principles of sustainability and responsible business practices, both on their campus and in the broader community.

Her deep-seated involvement with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is at the heart of Adrianna's commendable achievements. This initiative, a pivotal program under the United Nations Global Compact, champions the cause of sustainability and responsible management education.

Adrianna formed the Sustainable Business Society at Saint Mary’s

As one of two Regional Leaders for North America, Adrianna plays a crucial role in expanding the network of students focused on sustainable development. Her responsibilities encompass working with student organizations, identifying new ones to enhance the network and attending global meetings to refine and advance the initiatives of PRME Global Students. As a representative of PRME, Adrianna actively engages with and speaks at events focused on sustainability, responsibility, and development, furthering the mission of creating a sustainable global economy.

Adrianna was inspired to bring sustainability initiatives to more students at Saint Mary's after attending a PRME Student Leadership Global Forum in New York. Her participation in the forum was funded through the Linton Family Sustainability in Business Trust, established through the generosity of Bill Linton BComm’75 DComm’22 and his wife Marilynne Day-Linton. Accelerating a wide range of initiatives for students, faculty and staff, the Linton Family Trust provides critical support to expand and elevate the Sobey School’s leadership in educating the next generation of business leaders committed to sustainable business.  

Adrianna said of her trip to the PRME Global Forum in New York, "Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the forum, where I spoke with students who had successfully started sustainability societies at their schools. This gave me the courage to start the sustainability society here at Saint Mary's."  

In the Fall of 2023, Adrianna launched the Saint Mary’s University Sustainable Business Society, uniting like-minded students from the Commerce Faculty focusing on sustainability. As its founding President, she rapidly expanded the group to over 80 members in its first year. The society aims to spotlight local, sustainable businesses and entrepreneurial efforts, enhancing student engagement with Halifax's business community and fostering real-world sustainability application and networking opportunities. A notable achievement under her leadership was the organization of a "Careers in a Clean Economy" panel, drawing insights from industry leaders on sustainable business careers to 50 attendees. The Society also initiated The Halifax Green Map project, highlighting ethical, sustainable local businesses and promoting responsible business practices.

In addition to her academic and PRME commitments, Adrianna has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial initiative and social responsibility through her endeavours outside of the university. Her creation of Accessories for Access exemplifies how she seamlessly integrates her passion for sustainable development with entrepreneurship. This venture is not just a business; it's a mission-driven effort to make a tangible difference in girls' lives in sub-Saharan Africa by funding their education and leadership opportunities.

Adrianna's blend of global perspective and local action truly sets her apart as a leader who envisions a better world and actively works towards creating it.

Dianne Chiasson: forty-plus years of enduring friendship in sport

Dianne Chiasson BA’81

You won’t find Dianne Chiasson BA ’81 Hons sitting around watching other people play sports. She’s a doer, not a watcher. And an adventurous doer at that.

A multi-sport athlete at Saint Mary’s in the late ‘70s, Dianne has remained active right into her retirement years. In the decades since she graduated, she’s taken up running, biking, golf and skate-skiing. She’s completed numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and has participated in many Grand Fondo biking events.

She’s always been this way - active and athletic. As a child with a father in the Air Force, her family moved around a lot—Labrador, Goose Bay, Northern Quebec—but wherever she went to school, she played whatever was presented. “If it was on offer, I tried it,” she laughs.

In Grade 7, the family settled in the Annapolis Valley, in Auburn, near the base in Greenwood. Dianne played volleyball, basketball, softball and field hockey, in addition to running track, but was soon faced with having to choose her favourites due to overlapping schedules. A sports camp in Halifax one summer helped develop her basketball and field hockey skills; these ended up being the two sports she would carry with her to university.

But excelling at certain sports didn’t stop Dianne from venturing further afield. She even tried out for her high school hockey team, even though she couldn’t skate very well. “My basketball coach wasn’t very impressed with that,” she says. “But it was fun - why wouldn’t I try it?"

Dianne displayed the same independent streak when it came time to figure out what to do after high school. She went against the grain for someone living in the Valley: “I didn’t want to choose Acadia because everyone I knew was going there.” She was drawn to the big city, so when Saint Mary’s offered her an academic scholarship, that cinched the deal.

She decided to study Political Science and became a star player on both the Women’s Basketball and Field Hockey teams. She was named Female Rookie of the Year in 1978, as well as MVP of the basketball team, and earned Female Athlete of the Year for three years running. She was also selected All-Conference on numerous occasions for both field hockey and basketball and received All-Canadian honours.

“Dianne was an immensely talented and hard-working athlete, but someone who didn’t draw attention to herself and her own accomplishments,” says Kathy Mullane, who served as the coach of both women’s field hockey and basketball at the time. “She was our top player and won most of the athletic awards in her years at Saint Mary’s, but was incredibly humble. She was someone you wanted on every team, just a consummate team player, fitting in with everyone and so consistent in her play and positive attitude.”

In addition to her accomplishments on the field and the court, Dianne also excelled academically. She earned a full academic scholarship each year at Saint Mary's, accumulating 14 A's in 15 courses and was interviewed for a Rhodes Scholarship.

Once she graduated, she worked for a year in the Registrar’s Office at SMU before moving west to work for a small oil and gas company. After five years in Calgary, the East called her back home, and she returned to Halifax to secure a job with the Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia. Her political science degree came in handy, as did the Intro Accounting course she’d taken and liked at Saint Mary’s. Dianne got her accounting designation and spent the rest of her career working as an auditor.

During those years, she stayed connected to Saint Mary’s and enjoyed volunteering her time as a scorekeeper for the women’s basketball games. She marvels at the opportunities that now exist for young women to continue playing sports after university graduation. And she has a piece of advice for the new players coming up:

“Enjoy every minute of it because it goes by so fast.”

Forty-plus years later, the thing that Dianne cherishes the most are the friendships she still has with a handful of the other women on those Huskies sports teams. “After all these years, we still get together, and we still enjoy each other’s company,” she says. “Our friendships are the thing that remain and are something I am most proud of.”

By Renée Hartleib

Recent SMU graduate Kylar Johnson takes new role as Indigenous Student Advisor

Kylar Johnson BComm’23, Indigenous Student Advisor 

Saint Mary’s is pleased to welcome Kylar Johnson, a recent graduate in the Sobey School of Business, back to SMU. He has recently assumed the Indigenous Student Advisor role in Student Affairs and Services.

Kylar brings a unique student perspective, having experienced pre-pandemic, remote learning, and the return to in-person learning during his undergraduate degree. During these varied student experiences, Kylar was very active within the SMU community. In addition to helping to re-establish the Drama Society after the pandemic, Kylar served as President of the Indigenous Student Society and assisted in bringing the Mawio’mi celebration back to SMU with the return of in-person learning.

After his convocation, Kylar secured a role working with Mi’kmaw Kina’matneway as a post-secondary navigator, where he developed cultural events and programming to support Indigenous students transitioning to life in post-secondary education in Mi’kma’ki. “The role helped me gain valuable insight on what students are going through, worrying about or trying to navigate as they first enter university life,” Kylar notes. “I remember feeling lost as a new student at SMU, but the support I received from the Indigenous Student Advisor and President of the Indigenous Student Society really helped me feel comfortable on campus, and I felt like SMU was a place where I could settle down.”

Kylar is from the Mi’kmaw community of Potlotek First Nation in Unama’ki and credits his time working with the Red Road project in his hometown for helping him become more in touch with his culture and broadening his knowledge. He furthered his experience volunteering at the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre, gaining new insight into Inuit culture. “These roles sparked my interest in learning more about other Indigenous cultures and opened me up to interactions that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced,” Kylar describes. “SMU has a vibrant Indigenous community and I look forward to fully immersing in this journey with students and amplifying their narratives within the context of the institution.”

The Indigenous Student Advisor role supports and engages Indigenous students throughout their time at SMU. The Advisor provides guidance, develops community programming and helps to bring culturally respectful perspectives to light through reconciliation initiatives, advocacy and community-centered relationship building.

“When I saw the Indigenous Advisor Role, I felt compelled to apply,” explains Kylar. “For Indigenous students, this role is one of the first key interactions they’ll have at SMU and will serve as their connection between school and home. Having experienced the benefits of Indigenous mentors when I was a new student, it’s important to me to ensure the advisor role continues to be available to current and future students.”

Spring Convocation 2024

Members of the Saint Mary’s community celebrated for academic achievement and leadership

Hundreds of graduates, alongside their families, friends and SMU supporters, celebrated Spring Convocation from May 15-17, 2024. Proud new members of the SMU alumni community filled the sunny lawn of the McNally building after their ceremonies to enjoy their special day.

Among the graduates were numerous award and medal recipients recognized for their academic distinction. The convocation program lists the recipients of the Governor General’s Gold and Silver medals, along with a list of recipients of faculty, departmental and donated awards.

Meet the Valedictorians

Six valedictorians delivered heartfelt and inspiring speeches to packed auditoriums and online audiences. Read their full biographies in the convocation program and watch their speeches in the ceremony recordings.

Alexia Jo-Ann Bourgeois
Bachelor of Commerce

Born and raised in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Alexia is a proud French-Acadien. Before her time at Saint Mary’s where she majored in marketing, Alexia played varsity soccer, earned her private pilot’s license, and is a longtime member of the Rotary Club. At Saint Mary’s, Alexia founded a club called “GalPal” where a group of student innovators developed a solution to fight against gender-based violence and sexual assault on campuses.

Nyah Sahyoun
Bachelor of Commerce

Nyah was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, by her Palestinian father and Saint John-native mother. After working hard in her studies and completing three co-op placements, Nyah graduated with a double major in Marketing and Human Resource Management.

Jonathan Cornelius Mansvelt
Bachelor of Science

Jonathan’s time at SMU was spent supporting students as a teaching assistant, chemistry lab demonstrator, tutor at the SNAP Centre and President of the Campus Medical Response Team. He graduated with Honours Psychology, summa cum laude, and was presented with the Governor General’s Silver Medal, given to the top undergraduate student who graduated between September 2023-May 2024. 

Itai Kuwodza
Master of Arts, Atlantic Canada Studies

Itai is a two-time Saint Mary’s graduate, having previously completed her Bachelor of Arts degree. Her graduate thesis, titled Performing Diversity: Black Bodies in Atlantic Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions, was driven by a desire to understand how race permeates higher education and racialized learning. As a former SMU Husky, teaching assistant and coach, she is ready to begin her PhD studies at Acadia University.

Holly Kanyamunyu
Bachelor of Arts

Born in London, England, Holly’s family relocated to Halifax when she was four years old, where they lived on campus while her mother pursued her MBA at the Sobey School of Business. Her love for SMU led her to work with the Recruitment team. She also researched in the Dean of Science lab and helped to lead the African Student Society as Creative Director. She graduates with a major in Psychology and a minor in General Business.

Madison Vanderlinden
Bachelor of Arts

From Cole Harbour, NS, Maddie graduated with a double major in French and Intercultural Studies, complemented by a minor in Asian Studies. With a passion for global learning and outreach, Maddie spent her time at Saint Mary’s supporting incoming international and exchage students, volunteering and working with Students Acting for Global Awareness (SAGA) and the Global Learning & Intercultural Support Office.

Teaching excellence

Dr. Margaret McKee

Faculty were among those recognized during Convocation for their service to the Saint Mary’s community and their innovations in teaching and learning. Dr. Margaret McKee, Associate Professor of Management and Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Professional Graduate Programs within the Sobey School of Business, was awarded the Geraldine Thomas Education Leadership Award for her sustained commitment to fostering transformative learning environments grounded in principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and ethical leadership.

Dr. Valerie Creelman

Members of the alumni community acknowledged Dr. Valerie Creelman, Professor of Communication within the Department of Marketing and Communication at the Sobey School of Business, with the Father William A. Stewart, S.J. Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Students consistently praised the active, experiential, and applied learning environment she creates in her classes and her deep respect for diverse student learning needs.

Dr. David Wicks, retired Professor of Management and former Dean of the Sobey School of Business, was awarded Professor Emeritus status at Spring Convocation.

Honorary Degrees

Four people were recognized for their commitment to advocacy, diplomacy, education and community engagement and were granted honorary degrees at Spring Convocation.

Kevin Murphy BComm’92
A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Kevin Murphy boasts extensive business experience alongside his important work in disability advocacy As the Senior Parliamentary Speaker in Canada, Murphy founded and served as the first Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Network in 2019. Read more.

Donica Pottie BA’85
Her remarkable journey from a Saint Mary’s graduate to a Canadian ambassador exemplifies resilience, dedication and global citizenship. Pottie’s advocacy as a diplomat extends beyond borders in her support of human security, women’s rights and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, which she has publicly defended in countries where these rights are restricted. Read more.

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Lawrence (Larry) Freeman, K.C.
As a partner at Stewart McKelvey law firm, Larry Freeman has provided counsel to clients for over 40 years. He has been deeply involved in several community organizations, notably serving as a member of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors in 2008 and Board Chair from 2019-2022. Read more.

Karen Hudson
Local educator and community leader Karen Hudson brings an innovative approach to her role as Principal of Auburn Drive High School. In 2018, she pioneered the first Africentric Cohort in math and literacy within a public school. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to empower students by infusing Afrocentric concepts into the curriculum. Read more.

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Congratulations graduates! Visit smu.ca/graduation for more information, links to the convocation program and recorded ceremonies. Browse the full convocation photo album here.

Rheannon Richards of Dartmouth receives 2024 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award

Rheannon Richards (right) receives the Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award from Dr. Sara Malton, Interim Dean of Arts

Rheannon Richards BA’24 was busy writing when she found out she was going to receive the 2024 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award.

“I was sitting at the corner of my couch with my laptop, working on a big paper that was due in one of my English classes,” she says. “I got the email and I saw the subject line ‘Kane Award’ and my heart dropped into my stomach. When I read the first line, I just started crying. I was so shocked and excited. I’m a big woman of faith, so I started praying too.”

Rheannon got a heartwarming ovation on May 17 upon receiving the second Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award during the spring graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts. Made possible through a generous gift from Floyd Kane BA’92, the innovative award is open to undergraduate Arts students of African Nova Scotian or Black/African descent who aspire to careers in writing, broadly defined. The inaugural recipient was Trayvone Clayton BA’23 of Halifax. Valued at $30,000, it’s one of the most substantial student awards in Saint Mary’s history and one of the largest graduation awards at any Canadian university.

“I still have moments where I can’t even believe this is happening,” says Rheannon, who graduated with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. “It’s also really meaningful to be the first Black woman to receive this award. Even with the money aside, just that I can be recognized as a representative of what this award means, that’s a huge deal for me.”

Along with her academic essays, creative projects and avid journaling, Rheannon also embodies the power of words and language through her community work. As a literacy tutor who was born in Bermuda and moved to Dartmouth at age five, she has helped both children and adult newcomers to Nova Scotia with their writing and conversation skills. As a volunteer with the English Conversation Club at Faith City Church, she enjoys using her literary skills to help people from all over the world build their confidence in using the language.     

Rheannon Richards

Also a volunteer basketball coach and former Husky, Rheannon received the USPORTS Academic All-Canadian Award in 2021 and has been a Dean’s List student every year. She has also maintained part-time jobs at the Zatzman Sportsplex front desk and on campus as a ticketing assistant for Husky games.

Rheannon is ‘extraordinarily intelligent and diligent’ and has a ‘positive effect on the world around her,’ according to award recommendation letters from several of her professors. She ‘perpetually shows herself to be intellectually curious, industrious, prepared and highly committed’ and ‘her writing has consistently demonstrated both her creative and analytical skill,’ they said.  

“Coming out of high school, I knew I wanted to go to university right away,” says Rheannon, who attended Woodlawn High School (then known as Prince Andrew High). She has commuted across the harbour throughout her time at Saint Mary’s and says living at home with her mom has helped her stay focused.

“It helps a lot to be somewhere familiar while you’re adjusting to your studies,” she says. “I had a moment at home the other day when I just looked out the window and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m actually done.’ Four years … I don’t know if I want to celebrate or cry!”

She’s excited to pursue a career in the human resources field, where she hopes to also continue exploring her interests in law and teaching. This fall, she’s starting the Human Resources Management graduate certificate program at the Nova Scotia Community College, with law school a future possibility to enhance opportunities in the labour relations field.

“I think my experience studying the humanities has really prepared me for whatever comes next. It’s interesting to look back and see how my writing has improved and my ability to communicate has become so much better,” she says.

For new students just starting out at Saint Mary’s, her advice would be to keep an open mind. “It’s good to have a plan, but it’s okay if the plan changes. Explore all sorts of different classes, get involved and build new friendships. Put a foot into as much as you can and really take advantage of the university experience because it goes fast!”   

Related

• Removing barriers to increase access to education

• Embracing the power of writing with new Kane Writers Award

• Apply for the 2025 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award

Karen Hudson, Nova Scotian educator and leader, to be recognized with an honorary degree

Karen Hudson

Saint Mary’s University will recognize Karen Hudson, a noted leader in the field of education, by awarding her an honorary degree at the Spring Convocation in May 2024.

Hudson’s commitment to post-secondary learning for African Nova Scotians has been exceptional over several decades. As Principal of Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth, NS, she demonstrates visionary leadership. With a BA in International Development, BEd and multiple Master’s degrees, Hudson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

In 2018, she pioneered the first Africentric Cohort in math and literacy within a public school. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to empower students by infusing Afrocentric concepts into the curriculum. In 2019, the Learning Partnership recognized Karen Hudson as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals for her innovative work. She has actively assisted in expanding Africentric Cohorts to other Nova Scotia institutions, including Horton High, Woodlawn High, and Citadel High.

Outstanding Community Service

Beyond her educational leadership, Hudson is deeply involved in community service. She has received the Nova Scotia Teacher’s Award, the Provincial Family Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. Her passion for social justice, youth leadership, and international development drives her active participation in various organizations. Notably, she is Interim President of the Black Educators Association (BEA) and volunteers with the Africentric Learning Institute (ALI), Black History Month Committee, Indigenous and Mi’kmaq Initiative (IBM), and Cherry Brook United Baptist Church. She is the former African Nova Scotian representative for the Public School Administrators Association of Nova Scotia (PSAANS).

Hudson’s groundbreaking work in Afrocentric math programming has positively impacted African Nova Scotian students, including those at Saint Mary’s. Her commitment to addressing inequality, social justice, historical erasure, and educational disparity demonstrates her leadership and integrity.

Hudson will receive a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa, on Wednesday, May 15. See the convocation program for full details.

President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray expresses admiration for Hudson, stating, “Ms. Hudson’s long record of professional accomplishment reflects her commitment to academic growth, intercultural learning, and diversity excellence. Her dedication to educational equity and community service exemplifies the values of Saint Mary’s University, and her impact on students’ lives is immeasurable.”

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Spring Convocation takes place May 15-17, 2024. Ceremonies will be live-streamed via www.smu.ca/graduation.