There’s no place like home, and for over 700 StFX alumni and friends who returned to campus Oct. 3-5, StFX Homecoming Weekend 2025 proved just that.
Connection, celebration, and reflection were evident on all corners of campus as friends reconnected, classmates came together over dinners and socials, and alumni were honoured for their contributions to making their communities a better place.
“With over 700 alumni returning home to StFX, this year’s Homecoming was truly one for the books. Our campus was filled with laughter, hugs, stories, and countless moments that reminded us all why StFX is such a special place,” says StFX Alumni Affairs Director Shanna Hopkins.
The Class of 1975, this year’s Golden Grads, had a full weekend of events from Friday’s chowder luncheon, a cherished tradition, to the Golden Grad Dinner, a signature event that celebrates alumni marking 50 years or more since their graduation from StFX.
The Class of 1975 not only came together to reconnect with each other, they reunited to give back to their alma mater, presenting StFX with a $100,000 cheque from their class fund to support the Tramble Centre for Accessible Learning.
ALUMNI HONOURED
On Saturday morning, the Hall of Honour and Alumni Awards of Excellence ceremony, always a weekend highlight, brought poignant inspiration to Schwartz Auditorium.
Three StFX alumni were inducted into the Hall of Honour, initiated by the Class of 1991 Legacy Committee to recognize members of the StFX community who have carried on the Xaverian tradition of helping others. Inductees included:
• Adele Upton ’53
• Iain Boyd ’75
• Kevin Robertson ’66
The Alumni Awards of Excellence, recognizing exceptional contribution, were then presented to:
• Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Achievement Award: The late Katherine Fleming ’85
• Young Alumnus/Alumna Award: Emily Lorra Hines ’14.
• Xaverian Spirit Award: Dr. Margo Watt ’93,
• Pride of StFX Award: Rachael Hamilton ’14 ’18.
StFX students Hannah Runnals, Ekaterina Karchevskaya, and Jona White, who received the 2025 Alumni Recognition Awards, read from their essays.
All award winner bios can be found HERE.
MILESTONES MARKED
Several milestones were celebrated over the weekend.
The Alumni Breakfast with Coady Institute kicked off Saturday morning celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Katherine Fleming International Development Award established by family and friends in loving memory of Katie Fleming’s lifelong dedication to eliminating child poverty in Africa. The award has supported 46 women from 13 African countries in their pursuit of economic and social justice. Marking the 25th anniversary of the award, the Coady Institute launched the first Katherine Fleming Women’s Leadership course in Ethiopia this past June with 21 women from nine different African countries participating.
The StFX Students’ Union celebrated its 60th anniversary and an open house was held to celebrate at the Angus L. Macdonald Library, also celebrating its 60th.
On Thursday, Oct. 2nd, the Sisters of St. Martha’s held a tree planting on campus as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations, commemorating the 125-year partnership between the Sisters of St. Martha’s and StFX.
Friday night saw X-Men football take a win over the Acadia Axemen under the lights and the popular Taps and Taste event, this year featuring entertainment by the East Enders.
Saturday afternoon saw a full cohort of friends and former classmates gather in Gilmora Hall for the Mount St. Bernard Tea, and the community come together again for the X-Women Rugby game on Saturday afternoon. In their win over Acadia, the X-Women also clinched first place in AUS standings.
The weekend also included class socials, a fun run, campus tours, and the Blue & White Tailgate, complete with food, games, and music.
On Saturday night, the Welcome Home Dinner & Dance, another classic event, featured a keynote speech from StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin and a dance with Private Society.
The weekend wrapped up Sunday with a farewell breakfast at Morrison Hall, an alumni mass, and X-Women and X-Men soccer games.
