Destination 2012 is the University’s Strategic Plan and consists of four strategic goals:
- Quality: to provide the highest quality teaching, learning and research experience for students, faculty and the community.
- Advancement of Women: to create and maintain programs and activities which demonstrate our enduring commitment to the advancement of women.
- Engagement: to create a university experience in which all members of the community are engaged in achieving the University’s mission and reflecting its values.
- Accessibility: to increase opportunities for students to participate in Mount Saint Vincent University programs.
The strategic plan, Destination 2012, was developed through extensive consultations involving faculty,
administrators, staff, students, alumnae and the broader public. Our new mission charts our course and sets us on a path that builds on our heritage established by the Sisters of Charity. Our values express the beliefs we will live by in the pursuit of our vision and the fulfillment of our mission. The goals and strategies define our priorities, and the measures will ensure that we account for our progress.
Mount Saint Vincent University today is a small, diverse university whose size belies its strength. Building on its distinct features and esteemed history, the Mount is an environment for transformative learning and a university with unparalleled social impact - at home, across the country, and overseas.
Access to education and a commitment to positive social change hold the key. These distinctive features make the Mount unique in the post-secondary landscape and connect out past to our future. The Sisters of Charity founded Mount Saint Vincent as one of the first institutions in Nova Scotia dedicated to the education of women. Well into the 20th century, the Mount was the only independent college for women in the British Commonwealth. The Mount today has a greater proportion of female leaders and faculty than any other university in Canada. While the University has long welcomed both men and women seeking an arts, science or professional education, the commitment to education as a right for all people, the direction to nurture knowledge and spirit, and the dedication to social responsibility burns as brightly today as it did in 1873.
The Mount is nationally recognized for its small class sizes - while larger universities will often have a hundred or more students per class, the Mount is committed to the transformations that occur for students in a rich, intimate learning environment. Faculty members are invested in the successful academic outcome of every student, whom they quickly come to know by name. Professors are not restricted to the model of professor as expert lecturer. Lively group discussions, personalized attention, and small team projects not only enhance learning, they allow classes to become enriched by the background and experience of each student.
The Mount’s research is often focused on investigations applied to real world challenges, evident in the investigations of the Mount’s four prestigious Canada Research Chairs. Faculty involvement in research - which has become extensive over the last decade - further enhances academic excellence by exposing students to current knowledge and intellectual discovery that ignites their academic vision. While most universities provide research assistantships mainly for graduate students, the Mount engages students at the undergraduate level as well. These opportunities can be life changing for students, opening up professional possibilities and new aspirations.
Faculty members at the Mount are not only the recipients of prestigious research and post-secondary teaching awards, but students notice the difference too. In the 2007 Canadian Undergraduate Survey Consortium (CUSC) survey of first year students, 95 per cent of Mount students said their professors were accessible outside of class time to help them and 94 per cent said they felt welcome at the university.
As well as offering world-class arts and science programs, Mount Saint Vincent University has developed a number of speciality programs over the years, many born out of the University’s dedication to contribute to its community, nationally recognized for their excellence and unique within the region and Canada.
More than 5,000 women and men from across Canada and 60 countries around the world take advantage of the Mount’s 38 undergraduate programs in Arts, Science, Education, and professional studies including Applied Human Nutrition, Business Administration, Child and Youth Study, Family Studies and Gerontology, IT, Public Relations and Tourism and Hospitality Management. The Mount also offers 21 graduate degrees in 13 areas to build upon the strengths of our bachelor’s degrees. The newest additions are a Master of Arts in Public Relations, a Master of Public Relations and new Master of Education concentrations in supporting learners with diverse needs and education leadership.
The Mount offers most of its programs part-time, so that students with families or who are working can earn degrees at their own pace. Currently, 35% of undergraduate students and 91% of graduate students are taking part-time studies. The Mount was the first university in Nova Scotia to provide on-site childcare and the first to enter into articulation agreements with community colleges, so that students could upgrade to degree granting programs.
From the beginning, the Mount has been concerned about the welfare of individuals and communities, at home and abroad. We champion the principle that ideas and innovation are forces of change. Mount Saint Vincent University students graduate as leaders instilled with the values, perspective and ability to make a positive difference, locally, nationally and around the globe.
Our PresidentsIn keeping with the objectives of the University to provide strong leadership role models, twelve presidents have all been women. From 1925, when Mount Saint Vincent became the only independent women’s college in the British Commonwealth (and when few women had achieved PhD status) to the present day, women administrators from both the lay and religious communities have continually renewed the University’s commitment to provide a positive learning environment where women’s contributions and perspectives are valued. The following is a list of these women:
| 1925-1944 | Mary Evaristus Moran, SC, BA, MA, PhD |
| 1944-1954 | Maria Rosaria Gorman, SC, BA, MA, PhD |
| 1954-1965 | Francis d’Assisi McCarthy, SC, BA, MA, PhD, LLD, DHumL |
| 1965-1974 | Catherine Wallace, OC, BA, MA, PhD, LLD, LLD(Civil), DHumL |
| 1974-1978 | Mary Albertus Haggerty, SC, BA, MA, PhD, LLD(Civil), DHumL |
| 1978-1986 | E. Margaret Fulton, OC, BA, MA, PhD, LLD, DHumL |
| 1986-1991 | Naomi Hersom, BA, BEd, MEd, PhD, DU, LLD |
| 1991-1996 | Elizabeth Parr-Johnston, CM, BA, MA, PhD |
| 1996-2006 | Sheila A. Brown, BA, MA, PhD |
| 2006-2009 | Kathryn E. Laurin, MMus |
| 2009-2010 | Alexa McDonough, OC, BA, MSW, DCL, LLD(2), DHumL |
| 2010-Present | Ramona Lumpkin, President, BA, MA, PhD |
The Coat of Arms and Logo
 | The University coat of arms was granted by the Heraldic College in London in 1966. It is based on the coat of arms of the family of Elizabeth Seton, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity. The three crescents are from the coat of arms of the Seton family. In the Seton arms, these crescents are tinctured red on a gold field. Blue and gold are the colours of the French arms and betoken affinity with Saint Vincent de Paul. The book represents knowledge; the maple leaves on either side, Canada. The dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, emphasizes that knowledge is a means of wisdom, the highest gift of God. Veritas ad Deum ducit, the University motto, translates as “truth leads to God.” A banner bearing the coat of arms is on display in the Library. It was made by Professor Robert Doyle, founding member of the Costume Studies Department at Dalhousie University. |
A university logo was introduced in 1999. The origins of the logo lie in the coat of arms so it retains strong ties to the University’s history while taking on a more progressive tone. The logo is used for all but the most formal occasions.
The MaceThe mace is a symbol of authority for the University Chancellor, and Mount Saint Vincent University’s mace is unique. It is believed that the Mount is the only university whose mace was made by a member of the institution’s own faculty. Carved by Barry Wheaton, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, and presented in 1978, the solid oak mace expresses the University motto with symbols and human figures.
Except on academic occasions, the mace is normally displayed in the University Chapel, along with a detailed description of its symbolism.
Academic ColoursStudents receiving certificates and diplomas wear black gowns with white collars. Students receiving degrees wear black gowns with the appropriate coloured hoods. Hoods include a satin lining in the two university colours (light and dark blue), with a velvet edging in a colour specific to each degree. The velvet edging on a Bachelor hood is a 2" wide trim and the band on the Masters hoods is 3" wide velvet trim
|
| Bachelor of Arts (Child and Youth Study) | Royal Blue |
| Bachelor of Applied Arts (Family Studies and Gerontology) | Teal Green |
| Bachelor of Applied Arts (Information Technology) | Geranium |
| Bachelor of Arts | White |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | Fawn |
| Bachelor of Education | Pale Blue |
| Bachelor of Public Relations | Bangkok Rose |
| Bachelor of Science | Gold |
| Bachelor of Science (Applied Human Nutrition) | Gold |
| Bachelor of Science (Science Communication) | Gold |
| Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management | Diaptase (Jewel Green) |
| Master of Arts (all) | White |
| Master of Education | Pale Blue |
| Master of Science (Applied Human Nutritition) | Gold |
| Master of Applied Human Nutritition | Wine |
| Master of Public Relations | Bangkok Rose |
LocationMount Saint Vincent University overlooks the Bedford Basin in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Situated on a park-like campus in the centre of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Mount is just minutes from the heart of downtown Halifax, with easy access to shopping, entertainment, museums, theatres and restaurants. On campus you will find the Freda Wales Trail and the Sister Lua Arboretum.
We invite you to take a virtual tour of our campus.
HistoryThe history of Mount Saint Vincent University is a story of humanity and growth. From its inception, the Mount has been concerned about the welfare and fortune of individuals and communities, at home and abroad.
Mount Saint Vincent started as an academy established by the Sisters of Charity in 1873. In 1914, an agreement was signed with Dalhousie University, enabling students to enrol in the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program at Mount Saint Vincent and to continue for the last two years and the awarding of the degree at Dalhousie.
In 1925, the Nova Scotia legislature awarded Mount Saint Vincent the right to grant its own degrees, making it the only independent women’s college in the British Commonwealth.
During the night of January 31, 1951, the entire plant of Mount Saint Vincent was destroyed by fire. Temporary quarters for students and Sisters were found elsewhere in the city and classes were conducted in borrowed spaces. Fortunately, with construction already begun, Evaristus Hall was ready in time for classes to resume normally the following fall.
A new charter was granted in 1966, changing the name from Mount Saint Vincent College to Mount Saint Vincent University. Under its terms, a lay Board of Governors and Senate were established along with the corporation representing the Sisters of Charity.
Men were first admitted as students in 1967. Today, women represent approximately 79 percent of the more than 5000 students. Almost half of the students attend part-time.
In July 1988, the current charter was approved by the Nova Scotia legislature, transferring ownership of the University from the Sisters of Charity to the Board of Governors.
Alumnae
The Alumnae
Mount Saint Vincent alumnae are a strong, dynamic group numbering more than 26,500 world-wide. Nearly half of Mount Saint Vincent alumnae graduated in the past decade and almost 80 percent are female.
The Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association works closely with the Mount Saint Vincent University Department of University Advancement, which encompasses the Alumnae Relations and Development Offices, to ensure that all Mount Saint Vincent alumnae remain connected with the University after graduation. The Alumnae Association, which was founded in 1921, assists in working towards the mission and objectives of Mount Saint Vincent University.
University Advancement provides programs and services to benefit all alumnae, encourages chapter and branch development around the world and helps plan reunion activities and numerous other special events. It also publishes Folia Montana, the alumnae magazine, and the alumnae web site.
The Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes superior teaching performance and is awarded in appreciation of an individual professor’s contribution to the high standards and goals of higher learning. All alumnae and current students are eligible to nominate professors for the teaching award.
Honorary AlumnaeOver the years since 1971, the Mount has bestowed honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (DHumL) degrees on women and men who have contributed to the betterment of society and humanity in any field, and who exemplify the University’s mission. View the list of honorary degree recipients.