Hall of Honour

The St. Francis Xavier University Hall of Honour was initiated by the Class of 1991 Legacy Committee to recognize those members of the StFX community who have carried on the Xaverian tradition of helping others. The Hall of Honour serves as an inspiration to current students to ensure this StFX tradition continues. The first induction ceremony took place during Homecoming celebrations on September 28, 1991. 

View a complete list of Hall of Honour Inductees.

Nomination Information

2024 Hall of Honour Inductees

Miriam (Beaton) Gillis '69 '70

If you are a member of the Antigonish or StFX community, chances are your life has been touched in some way by Miriam Beaton Gillis. An outstanding teacher and devoted volunteer with an unmatched depth of kindness, Miriam is known for her humble efforts to foster education, health, and a more caring society. Her inspirational leadership and lifelong commitment to service make her a most deserving addition to the StFX Hall of Honour. 

Miriam, or “Mrs. Gillis” as many students have fondly known her, was born in Cape Breton and continued a family tradition of attending StFX. She taught English for 35 years at Antigonish Regional High School, later named Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School, and extended her career 11 years past retirement to teach a Grade 12 correspondence English program. Many graduates of the Regional have Mrs. Gillis to thank for their essay and term paper writing skills, which she took the time to nurture while also supporting a variety of student activities and extracurriculars. Whether coaching budding actors in a school play or encouraging student involvement in sports, Miriam’s passion for education extended far beyond the curriculum to the development of the whole person. 

Her roles and contributions in the community are too many to name, but we will attempt to name some: chair and member of Boards such as the Canadian Association for Community Living, Theatre Antigonish and St. Vincent de Paul; diabetes educator and member of the St. Martha’s Hospital Auxiliary organization; event organizer and volunteer for RCMP musical rides, Remembrance Day ceremonies and the Special Olympics; supporter of community groups such as the Lions Club and Antigonish Heritage Museum; active member of St. Ninian’s Parish and the StFX Chapel; loving mother, grandmother, friend and neighbour. 

A graduate of the classes of ‘69 and '70, Miriam also finds time to contribute regularly to the life of our University. She volunteered to support students through the COVID pandemic, was instrumental in organizing her class’s 25th and 50th Homecomings, and serves on the StFX Legacy Committee where she continues to exercise her English teaching skills in evaluating student essay submissions for the Alumni Recognition Awards. 

This essay might lose marks from Mrs. Gillis for exceeding its word count limit, but it would take a whole series of essays to fully articulate her importance in so many of our lives. A person of honesty, integrity, determination and dependability, she is a true embodiment of our Xaverian motto, whatsoever things are true.

Leo T. Gallant '69

When Leo Gallant returned to his alma mater to take a teaching position, little did he know the profound impact he would have on the life of St. Francis Xavier University. A leader and educator with a steadfast commitment to helping others, Leo is a model Xaverian whom we are proud to induct into the StFX Hall of Honour. 

Leo earned his Business degree from StFX in 1969 and an MBA from Queens in 1971, going on to complete his Chartered Accountant designation while working with Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst & Young LLP). In 1973, he was asked to return to teach Accounting and Finance at StFX – and the rest is history. In his over 40 years at the university, he would serve as a professor and in innumerable leadership and volunteer capacities. 

The Gerald Schwartz School of Business owes much of its success to Leo’s pivotal contributions. As a professor, he helped attract students to StFX through the quality of its accounting program. As chair of the Department of Business Administration, director of the Schwartz School, and later as the university’s first Dean of Business, he helped build a world-class and nationally renowned business program and championed the construction of the Schwartz building and McKenna Centre. 

Leo’s contributions didn’t stop there. During his time at StFX, he sat on the Board of Governors, directed the StFX Management Services Centre, and participated in almost every university committee. A mentor and support to many colleagues, he elevated his profession by serving on numerous regional and national boards and associations, helping educate business leaders in Canada and beyond. Meanwhile, he rolled up his sleeves to support our regional hospital, university, community athletics, and community economic development both at home and overseas. These efforts earned Leo an Outreach Award from StFX in 2013 and a Lifetime Volunteer Award from CPA Canada in 2016.  

Despite wearing so many hats, Leo remained dedicated to his profession, to his wife Peggy, and to their three sons. An alumnus who represents everything it is to be Xaverian, Leo has built a legacy that will reverberate well beyond his years at StFX. 

Dr. Robert (Bob) M. MacDonald '59

A proud Xaverian who made a lifelong impact through helping and educating others, Dr. Robert (Bob) M. MacDonald joins the StFX Hall of Honour posthumously on the 65th anniversary of his graduation. 

Dr. MacDonald grew up in Mulgrave and continued his family’s tradition of attending StFX, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1959. He proceeded to Dalhousie University where he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1963. While studying, he enrolled in the Regular Officer Training Program and later served with the Canadian Armed Forces in Ontario, Quebec, Cyprus, Germany, Belgium, Sardinia, and England. 

Dr. MacDonald returned to Halifax in 1971, started a private practice, and began teaching as a part-time faculty member at Dalhousie. He would go on to hold various academic positions, sit on numerous committees and dental societies, and become a Fellow of the International College of Dentists.  

Concerned with the care of seniors and people with intellectual disabilities, Dr. MacDonald established dental clinics at Northwood Manor and the Mount St. Vincent Motherhouse. There, many of his students found the opportunity to develop their clinical skills. His far-reaching impact on students was recognized in four Outstanding Teaching Awards received between 1981 and 2001. 

A person of faith who was deeply devoted to his family, Dr. MacDonald was also an active volunteer. From the Halifax Rotary Club to his church parish and myriad community organizations, he gave generously of his time to help others. 

In 2003, Dr. MacDonald was diagnosed with myelodysplasia (MDS), a rare type of blood cancer. He received a stem-cell transplant from his twin sister and returned to Dalhousie, continuing to work part-time until 2012. A fierce advocate for MDS research and patient care, he co-founded the Atlantic chapter of the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplasia Association of Canada and brought its national conference to Halifax for the first time. 

Dr. MacDonald is fondly remembered for his warm and lively personality, his sense of humour, and his kind and gentle spirit. A lover of sports and his first alma mater, he often returned to Antigonish to cheer on the X-Men football team. He passed his love of StFX down to his children and to a granddaughter who recently graduated. His legacy of service to his country, his community and his profession exemplifies our university’s motto of whatsoever things are true.