During Mount Saint Vincent University’s fall convocation ceremonies held Sunday, October 18, approximately 600 students from arts, science, education, and professional programs joined the university’s global alumni community, now more than 40,000 strong.
The message that defined the celebration was this: the greatest impact comes from helping others reach their potential.
Few people embody that idea more than Dr. Jane Bertrand, ECE Diploma, MEd, Hon D.Litt, DHumL, who received a Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the ceremony. One of Canada’s most influential early childhood education champions, Dr. Bertrand has spent more than four decades helping children get the strongest possible start in life.
In her address, Dr. Bertrand called on graduates to prioritize family, evidence, and advocacy, while supporting society’s most vulnerable members.
“This graduating class has been blessed with opportunity,” Dr. Bertrand said. “You’ve matched that opportunity with hard work and have secured the trajectory of your lives. But as we bask in your success, we must remember the vulnerability of young children … and the importance of us all sharing stewardship for their development.”
“Our future in Canada – yours and mine – depends on how we prepare the next generation. It depends on whether you will accept my challenge of shared stewardship for vulnerable children. We cannot afford to leave a single child behind,” she said.
Watch Dr. Jane Bertrand’s full address on YouTube.
MSVU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Joël Dickinson challenged graduates to do for others what others have done for them. Reflecting on the roles of mentors and supporters, she noted that guidance evolves throughout life.
“At first, it is about keeping someone safe. Later, it becomes about helping someone trust themselves. Parents stop solving every problem. Educators stop providing every answer. Supervisors stop directing every step. Instead, they help people find their own way,” said Dr. Dickinson.
She continued, “You arrived here with the guidance of others. So this is my ask of you: When you can mentor someone, do. When you can open a door, open it. And when you encounter a barrier you once had to overcome, do what you can to remove it for the person coming behind you. You have benefited from the guidance of others. Now others will benefit from yours.”
Student awards
Students from across the MSVU community were celebrated for their extraordinary achievements.
The Valedictorian Prize for significant contributions to extracurricular activities at MSVU and in the community-at-large was awarded to:
- Ethan Kelloway, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology, Hammonds Plains, NS
- Sarah Monette, Master of Education in Curriculum Studies, Fall River, NS
The President’s Prize, awarded to graduates whose generosity, energy, and commitment enrich the university, was presented to:
- Erika Neufeld, Bachelor of Public Relations, Margaret, MN
- Sarah Monette, Master of Education in Curriculum Studies, Fall River, NS
Membership to Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, is based on scholarship, leadership, and service, and was presented to:
- Michaelea Silver, Bachelor of Child and Youth Study, Kilbride, NL
- Megan Henderson, Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition, Bedford, NS
Graduate Thesis Award is presented to a student who has completed a thesis of exceptional quality including evidence of well-developed, independent research skills and contribution to their academic discipline. The 2026 recipient is:
- Ene Emaikwu, Master of Arts in Family Studies and Gerontology, Halifax, NS
Thesis title: Transitional Motherhood and the Challenges of Grandparenting
Faculty awards
President’s Award for Research Excellence:
- Dr. Danielle Cox, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Early Career Research Award:
- Dr. Catherine Baillie Abidi, Department of Child and Youth Study