Associate Alumni of the Year Award

Associate Alumni Award

You don’t have to be a Saint Mary’s graduate to be recognized as a valuable member of our community. The Associate Alumni Award recognizes those who are not alumni but have shown dedication and support to the University and its endeavours. A maximum of three candidates per year will be granted this distinction, and given full Alumni Association privileges.            

All University employees and members of the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association may submit a one-page letter of recommendation for a candidate, illustrating their suitability for this award. A completed Alumni Awards Nomination Form must accompany the letter.

Selection

Candidates are considered annually by the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association's Awards & Nomination Committee.  

Timeline

The nomination period for the 2024 Alumni Awards is now closed.

Nomination Form

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2024 Recipient

Susan Summerby-Murray

Susan is a practicing speech-language pathologist with an undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph and a Master’s in Health Science from the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience across various settings, including school boards, clinical and educational environments, university research, and teaching at both the University of Toronto and Mount Allison University, as well as in private practice. Susan is highly regarded as an educational mentor for students pursuing speech-language pathology and communication disorders programs across Canada and actively serves on national accreditation and scholarship committees. 

Susan's journey with Saint Mary’s University began in 2015 when Rob was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor. Since then, she has actively championed students and alumni through various initiatives, including supporting varsity athletes, student government, drama productions, and numerous international and cultural celebrations that contribute to the vibrancy of this university. Always eager to host student events at her home or connect with SMU alumni in Canada and abroad, Susan has dedicated countless hours to supporting the university and its values. Her efforts include significant work with lead donors and representing the university at public events, such as the Universities Canada ‘Partners Program,’ which she co-chaired for several years. Throughout all these activities, she has maintained a steadfast commitment to supporting students, whether through events like the Academic All-Canadians Breakfast or by hosting SMUSA and veterans on Remembrance Day. 

Together, Susan and Rob have three adult sons (David, in medicine; Iain in biological/environmental research; and James, in information technology). 

Past Recipients

• 2023: Heather Fitzpatrick
• 2022: Ann Boswick, Janis Sobey-Hames and Roberta Graham
• 2021: Derek E. Isaacs
• 2020: Rakesh Jain FCPA, CPA 
• 2019: Glen & Nancy Holmes
• 2018: Sheila Donahoe and Cathie Ross
• 2017: Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, Lawrence Freeman Q.C and Shirley Boudreau
• 2016: David Gauthier
• 2015: Lori Forbes
• 2014: Gary Schmeisser
• 2013: Wally Bowes
• 2012: John Landry
• 2011: Joe Chrvala Greg King
• 2010: Donna Filek
• 2009: Fred Smithers and Kathy MacFarlane
• 2008 Kathy Naulls and Dave Randall
• 2007 Tony Arab, Wadih Fares, Frank Matheson and  Paul Sobey
• 2005 Carol MacLean and Jennifer E. Ozon
• 2004 Patricia Bishara and David J. Grace
• 2002 Blake Nill
• 2001 Trevor Stienburg, Elizabeth Colwell and Stephanie Babcock
• 2000 Gabrielle Morrison, Nicola M. Young and Mary Lou Gomes
• 1999 Jean Larsen and Paul Dixon
• 1998 Denis LeClaire and Bernadine Halliday
• 1997 Ann MacDonald, William H. McGrath and Frank P. Dougherty
• 1996 Toni P. Croft, Virginia Jackson and Gloria Jewers
• 1995 J. Colin Dodds and Christine MacGillivray
• 1994 Colin Howell, Joan Whitney, Philip MacDonald and Daniel G. Stone
• 1992 Geraldine Coll, Betty Jean Frenette and Paul Mason
• 1990 Fred Voeltz and Ralph Curran
• 1989 Randy Nesbitt
• 1987 Fred P. Laphen
• 1986 Jill Linquist
• 1985 Paula Glencross, M. Shields, Joseph Wilson, D. H. Gillis, J. Lynch, T. Wardell and Hermann F. Schwind
• 1984 David F. Zareski, William H. Richardson and Larry Uteck
• 1982 Dermot L. Mulrooney, Carol Markesino, Mary Sun, Peter Weal and Heinz M. Morstatt
• 1981 Kenneth L. Ozmon and Owen Carrigan
• 1980 John A. Mills
• 1979 Charles J. MacDonald, Richard W. Lowery and Belinda S. Gallagher
• 1978 Charles A. Vaughan, Doug Wright and Brian P. Heaney
• 1975 Michael A. Overington, Douglas Day, Anthony Farrell and Gordon MacLeod
• 1974 Keith G. Fillmore, Joseph Jabbra and Roy W. Clements
• 1973 John C. Young
• 1971 Elizabeth A. Chard
• 1970 Henry J. Labelle
• 1969 Roger A. MacDonald
• 1967 K. McKenna, Robert MacDougall and Verdon Creighton
• 1963 Henry Habib