High school students and their families came from across Canada on Oct. 22, 2023, to see firsthand what life is like as a StFX student as the university hosted its annual Open House.
StFX welcomed nearly 1,000 visitors to campus during a full, interactive day designed for visiting students to discover all the university offers, from its outstanding academic programs to student leadership opportunities to the Xaverian spirit, that special feeling of community that StFX is so well known for.
The visiting students attended faculty presentations, learned about academic programs, student services, and residence options, and explored campus through guided tours. It was all designed to help give students a sense of what it is like to study and live at StFX.
FOUND A HOME
“I think we’re home,” parent Amanda Perry of Digby, NS said as she stood in the academic showcase with her daughter Addison Perry and friend Jessica Comeau, both prospective students interested in the StFX nursing program, as well as the human kinetics and psychology programs respectively.
Everyone has been so friendly, and the day has been very helpful, says Ms. Perry.
“It’s been great. Amazing. It feels so homey,” says her daughter, Addison. “I found a home.”
“It’s been very welcoming,” says Ms. Comeau.
The two students say the nursing seminar they attended was very helpful and they say it was great to be able to tour campus and to see the different residence options.
For Mary-Jacqueline Bent, a high school student from Dartmouth, NS, who is interested in studying sciences, it was a terrific opportunity to come to campus to explore. She says StFX is her number one choice so far for university.
“I’m enjoying getting to know people and not being a number,” she says.
Everyone has been very friendly and if you look lost, someone is there to help. Ms. Bent says she likes the size of the community too, the walkability of campus, and says it was great to see the residences and learn more about what StFX offers.
WELCOME TO STFX
StFX Academic Vice-President & Provost Dr. Amanda Cockshutt welcomed everyone to campus and spoke about what makes StFX special during the official opening held in the Joyce Family Atrium in Mulroney Hall.
“Today is a great opportunity for you to see our campus,” she said as she encouraged everyone to explore and to please ask questions.
Why would you come to StFX, she asked?
The university has an amazing diversity of programs for all learners and there are excellent professors teaching excellent programs, she says.
“We offer small class sizes. That’s really important. It’s that highly personalized and immersive environment.”
Another thing about StFX is its graduation rates are the highest in Nova Scotia, she says. “That doesn’t mean it is easy. It’s that we have the supports in place to help you get through.”
The daylong program featured an official opening and welcome, campus tours, an academic and student services showcase, scholarship and financial aid sessions, brunch in Morrison Hall dining room, and an application centre where students who brought their transcripts were able to receive on-the-spot admission decisions, with the exception of a few programs.
Faculty and students from all departments were available to meet prospective students and their families and to answer questions during the Academic and Student Services Showcase. During the showcase, students also had opportunity to meet with student services staff to learn how StFX can support their personal and academic growth.
Several academic departments also hosted special activities throughout the afternoon.
These included the opening of the Financial Trading Lab in the Gerald Schwartz School of Business and the Art Department’s Drawing Studio and Stained Glass Studio in Immaculata Hall. The Public Policy and Governance program held a ‘Disaster Antigonish: Emergency Management Tabletop Exercise’ and the Biology Department hosted a display.
Lab demonstrations and tours were available in the Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering Departments, while the Physics Department welcomed students and guests to the StFX Observatory. The Rankin School of Nursing hosted tours, the Modern Languages Department showcased several intro language classes, and the History Department held exercises showcasing working with primary sources.
Anyone who was unable to attend the Open House but who would like to explore StFX is invited to arrange a personalized campus tour or a virtual tour at any time by visiting https://www.stfx.ca/tour-campus.
