Mary Bluechardt 720

Dear students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends,

As I reflect on the year, it comes to mind that 2018 has been my first full calendar year at the Mount. And what a year it has been! From our first Mi’kmaw Mid-Winter Feast in February, to record-breaking attendance at the Girls Conference in March, to a fall featuring important new student supports like Mount 101 – time has truly flown by. As I look back, perhaps what stands out for me most is what underpins our many efforts: our University’s commitment to people, our community and contributing to a just world for all.
The Mount campus is better than ever with the completion of some major projects. The Centre for Applied Research in Human Health – an impressive new research space for faculty and students – is now fully operational; the staircase in front of Evaristus has become a year-round symbol of Pride at the Mount; and Seton Academic Centre is now home to the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success. These projects have benefited our campus community, and it’s wonderful to watch students make the most of these spaces.
Getting to know our students has been a personal highlight of mine this past year. I’m continuously impressed by the tremendous talent demonstrated in the classroom, on the court, in the community, and around the globe. Want to feel inspired…?

• Check out the story about the Mount’s first NSHRF prestigious Quest Award winner for greatest promise in health research: Applied Human Nutrition student Ksenia Kholina;
• Or this piece about a team of Tourism and Hospitality Management students who designed their own hotel innovation;
• Or the news that three Mount student athletes were named CCAA All Canadians (did you know that our women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball teams, together with our men’s basketball and soccer teams, have more combined championship titles than any of our competition?)
You can read more stories about the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff and alumnae at www.msvu.ca/news.
No matter the scale, we all have achievements to celebrate this year – both personal and professional. And as a community, our collective professional achievements have set us up for another successful year ahead. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also acknowledge the challenges we’ve faced. Many accomplishments have meant hills to climb and hurdles to overcome. As we approached the end of the fall semester, I know there was concern about what the winter might bring from a labour relations perspective. Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of two dedicated bargaining teams, we are wrapping up 2018 having reached a tentative agreement with the Faculty Association. The Mount community can focus on enjoying a well-deserved, peaceful and restful holiday break, after which we’ll be back for another year of adventures together.
I look forward to celebrating our many accomplishments in 2019!
Wishing you and yours all the best of the season,
Mary
Dr. Mary Bluechardt
President and Vice-Chancellor
Mount Saint Vincent University
P.S. In case you missed it, we’ve captured the spirit of the season at the Mount in this lovely holiday video. Take a look: