Tuesday, June 22
One million dollar endowment to support StFX students with financial needs
Support for students with financial needs including indigenous students from Atlantic Canada and African Nova Scotia students
ANTIGONISH, NOVA SCOTIA --- St Francis Xavier University is pleased to announce that alumni Mike Boyd, the Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, and his wife Lisa are contributing $1 million dollars to establish an endowment focused on providing assistance to students who have a financial need.
Fifty percent of the endowment ($500,000) will be designated to support Indigenous students from Atlantic Canada and African Nova Scotian students. This portion will be matched by the Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment adding an additional $500,000 to the endowment. The other 50 percent ($500,000) will be designated to support students from Atlantic Canada for a total of $1.5 million. The financial awards will be entrance awards to support students who demonstrate leadership ability, who have made an important contribution to their community and who demonstrate significant financial need. The awards, valued at a minimum of $5,000 each, are renewable each year.
This generous donation by the Boyd Family assists in the Xaverian Fund reaching its goal of raising $50 million for scholarships and bursaries to ensure StFX attracts students from all backgrounds who are seeking the most comprehensive undergraduate education in Canada.
“It is our pleasure to make this donation to StFX. This university has enriched our lives in many ways - providing both of us with an excellent academic experience, many life-long friendships, and the opportunity to be part of a community which believes in the importance of service and giving back to others. Lisa and I are delighted that we can do our part to make a StFX education possible for the leaders of tomorrow,” said Mr. Boyd.
“The creation of this endowment is Mike and Lisa’s further commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of StFX,” said StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin. “Mike’s leadership as Chair of the StFX Board of Governors recently guided the university through an unprecedented time in its history. During the pandemic, StFX was able to deliver approximately 75 per cent of its classes safely in-person – the highest percentage of face-to-face classes in Canada. I thank Mike for his guidance during the pandemic and for Mike and Lisa’s generosity in supporting our leaders of tomorrow.”
Mike and Lisa graduated from StFX in 1985 and 1987, respectively, having both made significant contributions to student life while attending. Mike was a leader in residence and was the treasurer of the Students’ Union, while Lisa was active in many campus activities, including being a member of the university’s first women’s rugby team.
Mike is currently the Managing Director and Head of Global Mergers & Acquisitions at CIBC Capital Markets in Toronto.
The endowment also honours the parents of Mike, Louis “Lou” and Dorothy “Dot” Boyd. Lou graduated from StFX in 1955, marrying Dot in 1959, and together they raised seven children, six of whom graduated from StFX.
