St. Francis Xavier University graduated nearly 300 students during its Fall Convocation 2025 today. Bruce MacKinnon, one of Canada’s foremost editorial cartoonists, was also celebrated with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree.
Dr. MacKinnon received two standing ovations for his humorous and heartfelt speech about his and his family’s connections to StFX. “I’m deeply honoured to be here. For the last 40 years I’ve been the staff editorial cartoonist for the Chronicle Herald, our provincial newspaper. For you in the graduating Class of 2025, a newspaper is a bunch of sheets of paper folded together with news stories printed directly on it. No batteries required,” he joked.
“We’re all here because of our connections to this university,” said Dr. MacKinnon. “My connections to StFX run quite deep.” He recalled meeting his wife at StFX while working at the university in high school. He also shared stories of his father who was a professor at the university for 30 years.
“I want to thank all the many people at StFX who work together to make it the heartbeat of this town and one of the country’s greatest universities. I owe a lot to StFX as does my entire extended family and so many others,” he added.
Dr. Bruce MacKinnon, a native of Antigonish, is internationally recognized for his cartoons and has received numerous national and international honours, including appointment to the Order of Canada.
StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin congratulated the fall Class of 2025. “This is a day that your academic endeavours and your hard work is going to be fully recognized,” said Dr. Hakin. “Education is a golden key – it will open many doors and provide you with many options,” said Dr. Hakin. “You are poised to take on whatever lies ahead. You are ready to set into a world with confidence, armed with skills to make a meaningful impact – ready to make a difference to our society and help build a better society.” On a personal note, Dr. Hakin also congratulated his daughter Abbey Forand who graduated with a Master of Education.
StFX Chancellor Dr. Mila Mulroney opened fall convocation with words of wisdom to the graduating students. “My message is to embrace your differences, share your knowledge, bring your unique qualities together with the abilities of others and put them to use. Stay strong, stay purposeful, stay curious, ambitious, and kind. Today you have hit an extraordinary milestone. Use this milestone as a stepping stone to help you choose in which direction you would like to take your life – and have the wherewithal to know if you’ve chosen the wrong path and have the strength to change directions,” added Dr. Mulroney.
The Outstanding Staff Teaching Award went to Dr. Donnelly Archibald ’10, senior lab instructor in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Known for his patience and ability to make complex geological concepts accessible, Dr. Archibald fosters supportive and engaging learning environments. He has also built an exceptional research program, securing more than $2 million in funding for undergraduate and graduate research.
Philosophy professor Dr. Steven Baldner received the StFX Outreach Award for his long-standing efforts to connect the university with the wider community. Along with his daily professorial duties, he is the founder of Classics for Classics, an annual summer program that brings together alumni and philosophy enthusiasts from across Canada and beyond, growing from 30 participants in 2009 to over 90 this past summer.
Andrea Boyd, Artistic Director of Theatre Antigonish accepted the Community Partner Recognition Award on behalf of Theatre Antigonish. For more than 50-years, Theatre Antigonish has partnered with StFX and the community. Over the past year, it hosted 28 events involving 13 departments and 600 students, providing opportunities to work with professional theatre members as actors, designers, and stage managers. Alumni praise the theatre for fostering creativity, belonging, and professional connections.
Prior to convocation, an Indigenous Pin Ceremony and Reception was held for all Indigenous graduates and their families in Dennis Hall, Markham Global Complex.