As Dr. Andy Hakin officially became StFX’s 19th President & Vice-Chancellor during a formal ceremony held Dec. 5, 2020, he spoke about the power of education to transform lives—and he committed to leading StFX as an institution ‘for the people,’ an institution dedicated to shaping the future leaders of society.
“The unlocking of human potential is one of the most valuable gifts any person can give to another,” Dr. Hakin said in an inspiring installation address in which he reflected both on his own educational journey and guiding principles, and looked ahead to his vision for StFX’s future, including enhancing the university’s academic plan and its mission to the student experience.
The Presidential Installation Ceremony was broadcast live from the MacKay Room, Bloomfield Centre, where, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was a small in-person audience. A small, socially-distanced stage party conducted the formal installation. Locally and across the country and beyond, well-wishers joined in virtually via live-stream.
Dr. Hakin has already provided tremendous leadership to StFX, starting his tenure at the university on July 1, 2020, guiding the university through an unprecedented time in world history.
“I feel extremely privileged to serve this university,” Dr. Hakin said as he expressed his deep appreciation for the confidence placed in him by the StFX Board of the Governors, and the entire community.
“I feel by joining StFX, I’ve finally reached my destination.”
In outlining his own academic journey, which started as an undergraduate student at the University of Leicester in the U.K. in 1981, Dr. Hakin said the past 39 years has been somewhat uncharted but offered valuable learning along the way.
He spoke of how he was the first person in his family to attend university. “I had no idea how it would change my life.”
This lesson led him to a desire to see as many people as possible benefit from post-secondary education.
At StFX, this means we have to put in the work to identify and remove barriers that exist. As a university we must work hard to produce the right things to help put students on a path for life, he said.
James D. Cameron’s outstanding history of StFX, For The People, “serves as a rallying cry for what we strive to achieve. I pledge I will not lose sight of why we are here.”
During the ceremony, Dr. Hakin thanked many people, first and foremost, his wife Linda, his constant companion in his journey, without whose love and support he wouldn’t be here, he said. “It’s absolutely appropriate we share this day together.”
He recognized his daughter Abbey, and her fiancé, watching virtually from Calgary, his son Callum, who completed two weeks isolation to be in attendance, and family watching from the U.K.
Dr. Hakin also offered sincere thanks and gratitude to the many mentors, friends and colleagues who he has benefitted from over the years.
Recognizing the importance of all those who helped him, he said whenever possible through his life he’s made it a guiding principle to make the time to help others on their journey.
Dr. Hakin also recognized the outstanding administrative team he joined at StFX and thanked the talented and dedicated faculty and staff and the community for all they do.
Coming to StFX feels right in so many ways, he says, including how well his personal drive of making a difference aligns with the well-established tradition of this university.
StFX Chancellor John Peacock opened the installation virtually.
“I was very much looking forward to congratulating you in person, Dr. Hakin,” Chancellor Peacock said. “I’m happy we’re living in an age when digital connection is so simple. It allows me to join you virtually.
“StFX has been near and dear to my heart since Adrienne and I graduated in 1963 and I’m excited about this next chapter in our leadership,” he said. “I wish you nothing but success, and I have every confidence that you will lead with pride, honour and joy. Welcome to the Xaverian family. You are one of us now.”
StFX Board of Governors member Tom Langley and the Vicar of the Founder, Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick were present to install Dr. Hakin in the oath of office.
In taking the oath, Dr. Hakin pledged to provide students with a post-secondary education that is intellectually stimulating and personally enriching within an atmosphere of inclusiveness for all students, faculty, and staff; to promote academic excellence, service to society, and innovation in teaching and research; to provide opportunities to enrich the cultural, spiritual, social, and recreational life of students; and to respect the Catholic heritage and character that have formed a vital part of StFX’s history.
Dr. Kevin Wamsley, Academic Vice President and Provost, and former interim president, invested Dr. Hakin with the robe of office and presented him with a symbol of the transfer of authority.
In a moving part of the ceremony Elder Kerry Prosper, StFX Knowledge Keeper and a respected member of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Community offered a Mi’kmaw greeting. Elder Prosper and Dr. Hakin then exchanged ceremonial gifts, with Elder Prosper presenting Dr. and Mrs. Hakin with a star blanket and Dr. Hakin reciprocating, presenting Elder Prosper with a black walnut and maple table made by a StFX alumnus.
Students’ Union Vice President Residence Affairs Jack Irvin read from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians.
“The way that we do things in 2020 has changed to say the least, and this installation has been no different,” said master of ceremonies, education professor Dr. Joanne Tompkins. “The idea of what installation would look like back when we welcomed Dr. and Mrs. Hakin to campus back in February has changed. Typically, the room would be filled with family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers from across the country,” Dr. Tompkins said before introducing video greetings from representatives from numerous groups, including faculty, students, the alumni association, Canadian universities, religious and political leaders, and Dr. Hakin’s daughter, Abbey.
Immediately following the installation ceremony, StFX celebrated Fall Convocation 2020, another milestone and important event on the academic calendar, also celebrated virtually.
Those wishing to extend a congratulatory message for President Hakin can do so on his virtual “wall” at www.stfx.ca/installation.
Dr. Andy Hakin
Dr. Hakin, a native of the north of England, traveled south for his undergraduate degree, to the University of Leicester in the East Midlands. He stayed at Leicester to complete his doctoral studies in physical chemistry in 1987 – and left with both his terminal degree and his partner, Linda (also a Leicester graduate.)
Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta, the Hakins moved to the University of Lethbridge in 1989. Dr. Hakin’s academic trajectory reveals a life spent in service to academic and intellectual inquiry, as well as a desire to contribute to the underpinning systems of academia. After five years as an assistant professor of chemistry, he was promoted to associate professor in 1994, and then to full professor in 2003. He was the winner of the U of L distinguished teaching awards.
As a researcher, Dr. Hakin spent years investigating the thermodynamics of aqueous protein systems – particularly, the effect of temperature and pressure on those systems. He’s conducted work in biotechnology, bioremediation, and enzymes and proteins. Dr. Hakin received Lethbridge’s Distinguished Teacher Award in 2000, the Stig Sunner Memorial Award for research achievement from the International Calorimetry Conference and is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
He became the President of the Faculty Association of the University of Lethbridge in 2001, and after earning the rank of Full Professor, shifted towards the administrative branch of the university. He served as the Provost and Academic Vice-President at Lethbridge from 2007 until 2020 and became known as a champion of diversity and inclusion. His work was recognized by the Blackfoot people in a special naming ceremony at Homecoming in 2017; he was dubbed Linniowmoowakima, which means “Herding the Buffalo.”
As an administrator, Dr. Hakin led the charge in Lethbridge to become a “destination university;” he worked to create a strong undergraduate and graduate academic experience, boosted academic programming, and increased domestic and international enrolment.
Beyond the university, Dr. Hakin has devoted significant time to several organizations, particularly the Sinneave Family Foundation, which is dedicated to building successful futures for adolescents and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
