Convocation Awards
Donated Convocation Awards
Saint Mary’s University is grateful for the continued support to scholarships, bursaries, awards and services provided to our students. These awards are given to qualifying students during convocation ceremonies and are made possible by our friends and valued supporters. With this support, our graduates are prepared to take their place in the world of tomorrow.
If you are interested in creating a convocation award, please contact the Development Office at 902-420-5496. To donate to one of these awards, visit our giving page today!
CMC-Atlantic Student Award
Donors: Family of John Turner
This award is available as a result of a remarkable young man whose family made an endowment to the Institute of Management Consultants of Atlantic Canada (ICMCAC) when John passes away suddenly in 1990.
This award is awarded to full or part-time graduating MBA students at Saint Mary’s University with a demonstrated interest in management consulting. In addition, each recipient will be given a one-year “Young Professional” membership to CMC-Atlantic Canada.
Harold G. Beazley Medal (Endowed)
Donor: Dr. Harold G. Beazley
Established in 1976 by Harold “Babe” Beazley, the Beazley Medal is the oldest graduate-level University Gold medal, recognizing the highest academic achievement for graduates of the Master of Business Administration.
Dr. Beazley was the first recipient of a Bachelor of Commerce at Saint Mary’s in 1936, taught at Saint Mary’s his entire career, and served as Dean of Commerce and as coach of the men’s varsity hockey team. His contributions to the Sobey School of Business and the Department of Accounting are immeasurable; shortly after his retirement, he was named Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus in 1979.
Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award
Donors: Chancellor Michael Durland BComm’87 DComm10, Catherine Durland BComm’87 and their family
The Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award was created by the generosity of Chancellor Durland BComm’87 DComm’10, Catherine Durland BComm’87 and their family. The Durland family are longtime supporters and friends of the university and believe in the power of education.
The Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award will be presented to all PhD candidates following the successful defense of their dissertation and approval for graduation. This special graduation award is given in the spirit of wanting to both recognize academic achievement and provide financial support for the doctoral graduates’ full experience of convocation.
Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award
Donor: Floyd Kane BA’92
Valued at $30,000 annually, The Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award is presented to an undergraduate student graduating from the Faculty of Arts who has dreams and ambitions to pursue a career in writing.
Floyd Kane BA’92 was inspired to establish this award to offer support and resources to talented Black Nova Scotians pursuing a career in the Arts, specifically as writers. The purpose of The Edna and Velma Kane Thomas Award is to remove the burden of financial debt and insecurity for undergraduate students of African Nova Scotian descent, and to support them in pursuing further post-secondary studies or training.
Edwin C. Harris Tax Prize (Endowed)
Donors: Saint Mary’s University and The Sobey School of Business Tax Conference Planning Committee
Established 2010, the Edwin C. Harris Tax Prize was established by Saint Mary's and the Sobey School of Business Tax Conference Planning Committee in honour of Edwin C. Harris, QC, FCA, FCMA, TEP, for his 50-year contribution to the annual Atlantic Provinces Tax Conference. The Conference is co-sponsored annually by the Sobey School of Business and is attended by practicing accountants, tax lawyers, government officials, and people in the tax community.
Environmental Prize
Donor: Dr. Tony Charles
The Environmental Prizes are awarded to students graduating with a major or honours in the BSc Environmental Science program, and to a major or honours in the Bachelor of Environmental Studies program. Recipients will have shown exceptionally strong and solidly interdisciplinary academic performance, and extensive extracurricular and/or co-curricular leadership and other involvement that directly or indirectly supports environmental well-being.
These awards were established in 2013 by Dr. Tony Charles. Dr. Charles is a former Director of the School of the Environment and a professor in the Environmental Science Department and the Sobey School of Business. He specializes in interdisciplinary research on natural resources, coastal and marine areas, and conservation issues.
Eric & Ingeborg Enns Family IMTE Convocation Award
Donor: Dr. Esther E. Enns
Eric and Ingeborg Enns lived their lives at the crossroads of multiple cultures. Eric was a Ukrainian-born ethnic German who became an orphan refugee fleeing post-revolutionary Russia in the 1920s; Ingeborg came to Canada through Pier 21 in the 1950s after surviving Nazi Germany and the devastation of World War II. With hope and optimism they embraced the challenge of learning a new culture and a new language, and in so doing, became transcultural persons with a global outlook. This award honours the journey of Eric and Ingeborg Enns and the example it sets.
This award was created to recognize the graduating student who has excelled in the International Master of Teaching English program as they embark on their journey to become leaders in global language education and intercultural understanding.
Father William A. Stewart, SJ, Medal for Excellence in Teaching
Donor: Saint Mary’s University Alumni Association and Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union
This award was established to recognize faculty members who have made an extraordinary contribution to the education of Saint Mary’s students through teaching, in the Saint Mary’s tradition of quality education. The award is open to faculty members who have rendered at least five years of teaching service at the university.
Hermann F. Schwind Award for Excellence in Human Resource Management (Endowed)
Donors: Friends and colleagues of Dr. Herman Schwind
This award is named after Dr. Schwind, a professor in the Sobey Faculty of Commerce from 1976-2000, who taught, conducted research and contributed significantly to the advancement of the Human Resource Management profession in this region and across Canada.
James Morrison International Development Studies Medal
Donor: Dr. James Morrison
Established in 1993, this medal is awarded based on the successful completion of a Master of Arts in International Development thesis that integrates field research and demonstrates the theory and practice of International Development.
The purpose of this medal, made possible through a generous donation by Dr. James Morrison of Saint Mary's, is to recognize exceptional fieldwork design and empirical research at the graduate level.
J. Kevin Vessey Award for the PhD in Applied Science (Endowed)
Donor: Dr. J Kevin Vessey
The J Kevin Vessey Award for the PhD in Applied Science recognizes outstanding PhD students from the Applied Science program at the time of their graduation.
J Kevin Vessey was the first permanent Dean of Graduate Studies and Research (2005-17) and the first Associate Vice President Research (2011-17) at Saint Mary’s University. In 2017, Dr. Vessey returned to teaching and research full-time in the Biology Department and the Applied Science Program. In his research, teaching and administrative duties Dr. Vessey promoted the impact of university research beyond the walls of academe—this Award continues in that tradition.
John and Heather Fitzpatrick Valedictorian Award (Endowed)
Donors: John Fitzpatrick BA'81 LLD'17 and Heather Fitzpatrick
The purpose of this award is to provide incentive and congratulations to Saint Mary's valedictorians for each convocation.
This award was established in 2006 through the generosity of alumnus John Fitzpatrick BA'81 and his wife and long-time staff and supporter, Heather. John graduated with a BA in Political Science from Saint Mary's and an LLB from Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law.
For John, Saint Mary's has always been close to his heart. John has served on the Board of Governors for 20 years, with eight years as Chair and Vice-Chair. In recognition of his commitment to students, he was awarded an honorary "Gold M" by the Saint Mary's Students' Association. John also received a Doctor of Civil Law (honoris causa) from Saint Mary’s University in 2017.
Heather has worked at Saint Mary's for more than 18 years in different fundraising positions. She is a strong supporter of the University through many avenues, demonstrating her loyalty and love for the institution.
John and Heather's connections to the University extend to their three children: Laura, Jennifer, and Andrew, who have all attended Saint Mary's. John's Father, Ed, is a proud 1953 Saint Mary's graduate and was valedictorian of his class.
O'Brien Award in Irish Studies (Endowed)
Donor: Dr. Brian O'Brien DSc’15
This award was created by the generosity of Dr. Brian O'Brien to honour a graduating student who has excelled in Irish Studies. The award also memorializes the important contributions of Rev. Richard Baptist O'Brien, the first President of Saint Mary's when it acquired degree-granting status in 1841, and the Archbishop of Halifax, Cornelius O'Brien, who led the University's re-establishment in 1903 following a 22-year closure.
Brian O'Brien DSc'15 is a long-time benefactor of the Irish Studies Program and a stalwart of the Irish community in Halifax. Since his retirement in 2009 from a distinguished career as an Ophthalmologist, Dr. O'Brien has been a champion in the restoration of the Holy Cross Cemetery, a valuable repository of the history of the Irish contribution to Saint Mary's and Nova Scotia. In 2015, Dr. O'Brien received a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from Saint Mary's.
Mary Ann and Edward J. McBride Law Prize (Endowed)
Donor: Professor Edward J. McBride
The Mary Ann and Edward J. McBride Law Prize was established by Professor Edward J. McBride and is awarded to a gradating student majoring in Political Science, History, English, or Philosophy at Saint Mary’s University who has been accepted for entry into the Schulich School of Law or University of New Brunswick Law School. The prize will be awarded to the qualifying applicant with the highest academic standing.
Master of Finance Gold Medal
Donors: Dr. J. Colin Dodds and family
This medal was established in 2014 by Dr. J. Colin Dodds, Professor of Finance and President Emeritus, Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Dodds began teaching Finance at Saint Mary’s University in 1982, and still serves as the Director of the Master of Finance Program, a program he helped to develop, and which is now a formal CFA Affiliate. Dr. Dodds served as the President of Saint Mary’s University from 2000 to 2015.
This award is awarded to a student graduating at Fall Convocation with the highest GPA in the Master of Finance Program.
The Dr. Brij M. Kapoor Memorial Award
Donors: Family of Dr. Brij M. Kapoor
This award is presented in honour of Dr. Brij Mohan Kapoor, Professor of Biology from 1968-2003, who believed in excellence in science and meritorious achievement. This award is awarded, upon graduation, to a student who achieves excellence within the field of Biology at Saint Mary’s University.
The Georgia Pe-Piper Medal for Excellence in Applied Science
Donors: Saint Mary's faculty members
Established in 2013 through the generosity of Saint Mary's faculty members, in recognition of Dr. Georgia Pe-Piper, Professor Emerita of the Department of Geology at Saint Mary's.
This medal recognizes excellence in research by a student enrolled in the Master of Science, Applied Science program.
The McMullan & Rege Honours in Criminology Convocation Award
Donor: Dr. Aunshul Rege
This award has been established in honour of Professor Aunshul Rege’s mentor, Dr. John Leonard McMullan, a long-serving and well-respected faculty member in the former Department of Sociology and Criminology. Dr. Rege credits her love for education and passion for educating others to his guidance, dedication to excellence, hard work and commitment to the success of others.
The Mining Society of Nova Scotia Centennial Award
Donor: The Mining Society of Nova Scotia
Originally established in celebration of its centenary (1887-1987), The Mining Society of Nova Scotia Centennial Award recognizes outstanding academic achievement of an undergraduate student graduating from the Geology Program. This convocation award is available to students graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Geology.