One could feel the energy and excitement driving onto StFX campus on Friday, Sept. 2 as StFX officially welcomed the Class of 2026.
Over 1,000 first year students are arriving on campus for Welcome Days 2022, spread over two days again this year, with new students arriving at designated times on Friday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 3rd.
Music played, pink-shirted members of the popular student orientation group, the O-Crew, cheered and danced, and StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin, and his wife, Linda, personally welcomed all new students and their families as they checked into the Keating Centre.
FEELS LIKE HOME
“As soon as I came to campus, I just felt so happy. I was ready to call this home,” says Braelyn Spencer, a first year Gerald Schwartz School of Business student from the Ottawa Valley, who made her very first trip to the east coast to attend StFX.
She and her mom Jennifer arrived in Antigonish a few days early and have been visiting the StFX campus every day since.
“We’re just so excited for her, for this opportunity,” say Jennifer. “You can feel she’s in good hands. You can feel it on campus, the positivity. She’s not just a number here. It’s wonderful.”
Braelyn says she decided to attend StFX, sight unseen, as she had heard such positive things about the school. “I liked that it was in a small town,” she says. “I knew I’d feel a part of it. I knew it had a good sense of community, and I knew there were small classes. I really liked that.
“And the campus, it’s very beautiful.”
TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY
Keisha Lambert, a first year human kinetics student from Halifax, NS, arrived on campus with her older sister, Mya, a third year business student.
“Overall, I’m looking forward to everything,” says Keisha, who says she read really good things about her academic program. She also heard good things from her sister Mya.
“I made a lot of close friends and also developed relationships with my professors,” says Mya. “I like how tight-knit it is here, you can form relationships.”
IMPORTANT TO FEEL CONNECTED
Abbey Dennis, a first year kinesiology student from Moncton, NB, says she too is excited to start school and live in and be a member of the StFX community.
Her mom, Kim, says their son, a fourth year business student, has had a good experience at StFX, and that’s comforting. “Just how our son interacts with his professors, there’s an emphasis there that it’s important to feel connected,” says her dad, David. “Even after StFX, there’s a real community, which the school really fosters.”
WELCOME TO STFX
“Today for us is a very special day,” StFX President Dr. Hakin told students and their supporters during the President’s Welcome. “This is why we’re here. It’s you…We’re here to support you on your journey.”
There is something very special about this place, something you feel when you come on this campus, and when you see how people interact with each other. It’s the way people support each other, he said.
Dr. Hakin encouraged the incoming students to think about ways they too can give back to the community, and how they can make a difference in society and continue this Xaverian legacy. The world needs this more than ever, he said.
“That, my friends, is being a Xaverian.”
Dr. Hakin also told the students that StFX wants them to flourish, socially and academically, especially after a very disruptive past two years. StFX has introduced a new suite of programs, called Flourishing Foundations, to help students with their transition to university. The program includes a new six-week academic transitions program, X-ACademic Transition (X-ACT), which Dr. Hakin encouraged all students to take.
“We welcome you to your new home. We are so proud to have you, and we will support you,” he said.
GET INVOLVED
Students’ Union president Brendan Roberts also welcomed the incoming class and congratulated them on taking the first step on this journey, where they can’t even yet imagine the potential. He also left students with advice: get involved.
“Your StFX experience will be what you make it. Take every opportunity to get out of your comfort zone.”
“StFX is a community rich in opportunity for you to discover,” said VP Students Elizabeth Yeo, the event’s emcee.
Today you are entering a new community, a new experience and StFX is here to support you along the way, she said.
The famous StFX photo booth is back at Welcome Days
Welcome Days and X-Fest 2022 are designed to welcome students to StFX, to soothe any nerves and trepidation, to help students settle into their new home away from home and get all the information they need.
Students made their way into the Keating Centre to start the official check-in process where StFX’s executive team, staff and faculty are available to answer questions and help complete the check in process.
Once complete, students move into the Student Services Showcase, where a number of booths are set up for students to learn about the support services and extra curriculars available to them.
Additionally, two times each day, Student Services hosts a session for Family and Friends to answer questions and provide information on all services offered for students. It's a great chance to meet StFX Student Services leaders and ask questions.
Cheers to moving into residence
As students move into residences and meet with community advisors and their house mates, family and friends are invited to join Dr. Hakin and the university’s senior leadership team for a dessert reception at Morrison Hall, followed each day by the President’s Welcome Ceremony at 4 p.m. at the Keating Centre.
A Community Corn Boil and Community BBQ follow on Friday and Saturday evenings respectively.
A full week of activity is also planned for students to help with the transition to university life, including an academic day set for Monday, Sept. 6. Classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
