St. Francis Xavier University

St. Francis Xavier University
Motto	Quaecumque Sunt Vera
Motto in English	Whatsoever things are true - Philippians 4:4-9
Established	1853 St. Francis Xavier College/Seminary (1855). Subsequent name, St. Francis Xavier University.
Type	Public
Endowment	$ 100 million
Chancellor	Brian Joseph Dunn
President	Dr. Sean Riley
Academic staff	264
Students	4500 full time 627 part time
Location	Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Campus	Rural
Sport Teams	X-Men and X-Women
Colours	blue      and white
Affiliations	AUCC, IAU, CIS, CUSID, AUS, CBIE, CUP.
Website	stfx.ca

St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.

History

St. Francis Xavier College was founded as a Roman Catholic educational institution at Arichat, Nova Scotia, in 1853. The university was moved from Arichat to its present location in Antigonish in 1855 . On May 7, 1866, St.Francis Xavier College was given university status, becoming St. Francis Xavier University. The University awarded its first degrees in 1868.

Xavier Hall

In 1883, Mount St. Bernard Academy was founded for female education, with girls from primary grades to grade 12 taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Henry Frederick Busch (architect) designed the College building, 1888.

In 1894, the academy affiliated with St. Francis Xavier University as Mount St. Bernard College. In 1897, the school became the first co-educational Catholic university in North America to grant degrees to women. Four women were awarded University degrees in 1897

In 1985, the number of women students at St. Francis Xavier equalled the number of men for the first time. In 1990, the women's college existed as a residence only.

In the early part of the 20th century, professional education expanded beyond the traditional fields of theology, law and medicine. Graduate training based on the German-inspired American model of specialized course work and the completion of a research thesis was introduced. The policy of university education initiated in the 1960s responded to population pressure and the belief that higher education was a key to social justice and economic productivity for individuals and for society.

A metal plaque in the Chapel at St. Francis Xavier University is a memorial dedicated to the 33 members of St. Francis Xavier University who died during military service.

The St. Francis Xavier tartan was designed as a university tartan in 1994.

Academics

Angus L. MacDonald Library

Profile

Maclean's Magazine has ranked St. Francis Xavier as the top "Primarily Undergraduate" university in Canada for five consecutive years (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). The university has also ranked first in alumni support for the past six years (2001–2006). In 2007, Maclean's changed the criteria of the "Primarily Undergraduate", resulting in St. Francis Xavier placing third in the category. In early 2009, Maclean's reported that St. Francis Xavier students ranked first in choosing to return to their current institution among other categories.

Between the years 2000 and 2004, more St Francis Xavier students, on a per capita basis, have received Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) awards for post-secondary study than any other university in Canada.

Faculties

St Francis Xavier University is organized into the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Gerald Schwartz School of Business and Information Systems, School of Education, and the Coady International Institute. Each faculty has subordinate departments under its administration appropriate to each discipline, for example the Department of Philosophy is part of the Faculty of Arts. Faculties are headed by a Dean elected from among the constituent professors. The current Dean of Arts is Dr. Richard Nemesvari, the Dean of Science is Dr. Robert van den Hoogen, the Dean of Business is Dr. Leo Gallant, and the Dean of Education is Dr. Jeff Orr.

Aerial of the university campus

Student life

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Flame at StFX

Newspaper

The Xaverian Weekly is the student newspaper, run by the Xaverian Weekly Publications Society, and prints 2,000 copies every Thursday. The newspaper is a member of Canadian University Press. The current editor-in-chief is Sean McEvoy.

Originally called Excelsior, the newspaper began as a monthly journal of literary essays and campus news founded in 1896 by M.A. McAdam and J.W. McIsaac. The editors changed the paper's name to the Xaverian in 1903.

Yearbook

The Xaverian Annual is the student yearbook, founded in 1924 and run by the Yearbook Society. The Yearbook Society prints the publication on a student by student basis every year.

Annual jello-slide during Frosh Week festivities.

Students' Union

St. Francis Xavier students are represented by the St. Francis Xavier University Students' Union. It is a student-run organization providing services and activities ranging from administering a medical and dental plan to concerts and orientation activities.

The Students' Union Building (Bloomfield Centre) houses the offices of the Students' Union Executive and various societies, the Golden X Inn, the MacKay Room (a large space for events), a cafeteria, Jack's Lounge, the campus post office, and the university bookstore.

Residence life

Physical Sciences Centre classroom

Approximately 50% of students (90% of first-year students) at St. Francis Xavier live on-campus in the university's traditional residences or apartment-style housing. Usually, students in first and second years live in traditional residences, where social life is very active, while students in third and fourth year tend to live in apartment-style residences where they have the possibility of cooking for themselves. Apartment-style residences consist typically of four bedroom apartments with 2 full bathrooms and a small kitchen. Students who live in traditional residence are registered in a mandatory meal plan at the central dining facility, Morrison Hall. Alternatively, students may enroll in a block plan that provides a specificied number of meals. St. Francis Xavier has an exclusive contract with Sodexo, giving that company a monopoly on food and conference services at every facility on campus.

Bishops Hall residences

Traditional residences at St. Francis Xavier:

• MacIsaac Hall (renovated in 2005)
• MacPherson, MacDonald, and TNT (Thompson and Tompkins) Houses in Cameron Hall
• Chillis (Chisholm and Gillis) and MacNeil Houses in MacKinnon Hall
• Lane Hall
• Mount St. Bernard
• Plessis, Fraser, and Burke Houses in Bishops' Hall (renovated in 2007)
  

  

  Snowball fight on University Avenue

Apartment-style housing at St. Francis Xavier:

• Somers and Power Halls (1998)
• Governors Hall (2006)
• West Street Apartments

X-Ring

Actual X-Ring Graduates Receive on December 3rd of their fourth and final year

St. Francis Xavier University is known for its distinctive "X-Ring". It is awarded to students on December 3 (Saint Francis Xavier's feast day) of each year before their graduation. On average, more than 95% of the graduating class opt for the ring.

The X-Ring is presented to students in a ceremony during the afternoon, which only recipients may attend. Traditionally, this ceremony was held in the University Chapel; however, since 2006 it has been hosted in the Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre. There is typically a live video link of the ceremony available for family and friends to watch from across the world or from a large screen set up in the Oland Centre on campus.

StFX students on X-Ring Day (December 3rd)

In addition to those awarded to students, there is one Honorary X-Ring awarded annually. The X-Ring Eligibility Policy states that this recipient must not already hold an X-Ring, and must demonstrate outstanding contribution to the Xaverian community and be exemplary of the Xaverian motto: "Quaecumque sunt vera" (Whatsoever things are true).

Past honorary X-Ring recipients:

• 2011 - Dr. Angela M. Thompson
• 2010 - Werner Schnepf
• 2009 - Mitch Hudson
• 2008 - Dr. Mary McGillivray
• 2007 - Dr. Winston Jackson
• 2006 - Dr. Ed Carty
• 2005 - Dr. Doug Hunter
• 2004 - Kenny Farrell
• 2003 - Dr. Hubert Spekkens
• 2002 - Dr. Ron Johnson
• 2001 - Mary Lillian MacDonald
• 2000 - John Beaton
• 1999 - Fr. Paul MacNeil
• 1998 - Dr. David Bunbury
• 1997 - Audrey Forrest
• 1994 - Dr. John MacPherson
• 1990 - Joan Dillon

Campus renewal

Coady International Institute

Physical Sciences Center lab

Since Dr. Riley was named president in 1996, St. Francis Xavier has undergone a $200 million campus renewal initiative. The goal of the program is to improve educational and residential opportunities throughout campus. To date, the initiative has seen the completion of eleven large scale projects.

• The Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership was opened on May 11, 2011. Former US president Bill Clinton attended as keynote speaker. The $12 million facility is designed to broaden the leadership environment that already exists at St. Francis Xavier. Located in the heart of St. Francis Xavier's campus, the McKenna Centre will enhance leadership opportunities for students across all disciplines. It will support targeted initiatives in the fields of public policy, business, and health, including a leadership speakers series and a leaders in residence program. The Centre will be home to an executive leadership training program, educating top national and international talent.

• Construction of the new Schwartz School of Business building began in June 2009, after an investment of $22.7 million from the federal and provincial governments. The grand opening was held on November 5, 2011, in presence of Gerry Schwartz, president of Onex Corporation, and Frank McKenna.

• In June 2008, construction of the new Coady International Centre began. The project includes the restoration of four historic campus buildings, some as dating as far back as 1890, in order to expand the current Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University.

• A brand-new all-weather playing field and rubberized track, featuring an artificial turf, an eight lane, 400 meter track, and light towers. The $2.8 million project was completed in 130 days over the summer of 2009.

New football field and running track

Classroom in the Physical Sciences Center

• Gilmora Hall in Mount St. Bernard College underwent a state of the art renovation in order to house the university's Music Department during the summer of 2008.

• An $11 million renovation of Bishops Hall, which includes Fraser, Burke and Plessis residences, was completed in September 2007. The building was upgraded with wireless internet access, new heating, plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems, elevators were installed, and most rooms became single occupancy, with a small number of them remaining as double occupancy.

• The construction of Governors Hall was completed in September 2006. It is an $18 million hotel-style residence which includes 226 rooms on four floors. It is aimed at upper-year students. From May to August, Governors Hall operates as a hotel.

• Complete renovation of MacIssac Hall, an existing residence, at a cost of $8 million. This project was also completed in September 2006.

• The St. Francis Xavier Physical Sciences Centre, a state-of-the-art $25 million sciences complex built in 2004.

• Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre, a $20 million athletics and conference centre built in 2001. The building houses two large ice surfaces and the main surface can be converted into a large open area mainly for concerts and Graduation. The building's area can hold over 2,207 people with room to spare.

• Complete renovation of Morrison Hall, the main dining facility at St. Francis Xavier.

• The construction of two apartment-style residences in 1998, Power Hall and Somers Hall, aimed at upper-year students.

Athletics

Keating Millennium Centre

St. Francis Xavier is represented in the Atlantic University Sport conference by 11 varsity athletics teams. The X-Men teams include men's football, basketball, soccer, hockey and cross-country. The X-Women teams include soccer, rugby, hockey, basketball, volleyball and cross-country.

St.FX Women's Hockey

In 1966, the X-Men Football team won the College Bowl (now the Vanier Cup) as top university football team in Canada. The X-Men Basketball program has won 3 CIS Championships (1993, 2000, and 2001) and in 2004, the X-Men Hockey team won their first CIS Championship. In 2011, the X-Women Hockey team placed 2nd at the CIS Championships in Ottawa.

In 2006, the X-Women Rugby team became the first female St. Francis Xavier varsity team to win a CIS Championship, as 10-time defending AUS Rugby Champions. In 2008, the team placed 2nd at the CIS Championships in Lethbridge, Alberta after capturing their 12th consecutive AUS Championship.. In 2010, the X-Women captured gold again in the CIS Championship held at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, after capturing their 14th consecutive AUS Championship. In 2011, they lost to the Guelph Gryphons in the gold medal game, again at Trent University, but did win their 15th consecutive AUS championship.

X Alumnus, Eric Gillis (2003 CIS Cross Country Champion) competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and placed 33rd in the 10 000m race.

Noted alumni

• Michael Walker, economist, founder of the Fraser Institute
• John Allan Cameron, Celtic Musician
• Stuart Cameron, Canadian Musician
• Father Moses Coady, leader of the Antigonish Movement
• Gerry Dee, actor and comedian
• Martin William Currie, Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. John's, Newfoundland 2007-
• Pat Dunn, former Minister of Health Promotion and Protection and Member of the Legislative Assembly, Pictou Centre, Nova Scotia (2006–2009)
• Danny Gallivan, Sportscaster for the Montreal Canadiens
• Eric Gillis, Olympic Games Competitor Beijing 2008
• Danny Graham, former Leader of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia (2002–2005), and MLA, Halifax Citadel, Nova Scotia (2003–2005)
• Robert J. Higgins, New Brunswick politician, Supreme Court justice
• Charles V. Keating, Canadian businessman
• Larkin Kerwin, Canadian physicist, President of National Research Council Canada (1980–1989) and the Canadian Space Agency (1989–1992)

Angus L. MacDonald Library (left) and Morrison Hall

• Larry Lamb, English actor best known as Archie Mitchell in BBC television soap EastEnders
• Mary Jane Lamond, Canadian folk musician
• Angus L. MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia (1933-1940; 1945-1954), Canada's Minister of Defence for Naval Services (1941-1945)
• Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia 2006-2009
• Ronald J. MacDonald, World Record holder in Running and Boston Marathon Champion from 1898
• Linden MacIntyre, Canadian journalist, broadcaster and novelist
• Allan J. MacEachen, first Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
• John Keiller MacKay, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 1957-1963
• Alistair MacLeod, Canadian writer
• Ronald St. John Macdonald, Canadian legal academic and jurist
• Lisa MacLeod, Member of Provincial Parliament, Nepean-Carleton, Ontario
• Frank McKenna, Premier of New Brunswick 1987-1997, Canadian Ambassador to the United States 2005-January 25, 2006
• Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada 1984-1993
• Ed Picco, Former politician in Nunavut 1995-2008
• Lisa Raitt, Member of Parliament, Halton and Minister of Natural Resources, 2008–present
• John Ralston, Canadian actor
• Seamus O'Regan, Co-host of CTV's morning television programme, Canada AM
• Daniel Petrie, American-based Canadian television and movie director
• Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Nova Scotia
• Mike Smith, Canadian actor ("Bubbles" on the Trailer Park Boys)
• P.J. Stock, former NHL player and Montreal sports radio broadcaster
• Sam Webb, leader of the Communist Party USA, 2000-
• Kevin Reaume, former Canadian Football League player selected in the 1985 CFL draft by the Toronto Argonauts
• Several CFL players drafted including Henoc Muamba selected first overall to Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2011, Andrew McConnell, first round to Edmonton Eskimos, Bill McIntyre, 5th round, Akeem Foster & Cauchy Muamba with B.C. Lions, Eugene Belliveau with Montreal Allouettes, Steve Middleton with Calgary Stampeders
• Santana Anderson, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder

Governors Hall Residence

Histories

• Father Jimmy Tompkins "Knowledge for the People--a Call to St. Francis Xavier College" 1921
• Dr. James Cameron "For the People: A History of St Francis Xavier University". Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1996.

See also

• Antigonish Movement
• Higher education in Nova Scotia
• List of universities in Nova Scotia
• Canadian Interuniversity Sport
• Francis Xavier Plessis

External links

• Official website
• Students' Union