Nominate your peers for a Student Leadership Award to have their contributions to the StFX student experience acknowledged!
These awards will be presented on April 7th and seek to encompass all facets of campus life.
Criteria for each award & descriptions are featured at the bottom of this page.
The four categories of awards that students can be nominated for are:
Nominations for All Awards close
Wednesday, March 18th at Midnight
Award Descriptions
DEC Awards
IMPACT AWARD CELEBRATING LEADERSHIP IN TRANSITION & STUDENT GROWTH
Presented to a StFX student who creates engaging, inclusive, and educational experiences that support first‑year students as they navigate their transition to university. This student helps new Xaverians build confidence, discover who they are, and find community beyond the classroom. Presented to a student who:
Creates meaningful, inclusive programming that supports first‑year connection and belonging.
Encourages personal growth, self‑awareness, and confidence among new students.
Demonstrates creativity, positivity, and leadership in building community.
Serves as a supportive mentor and role model for first‑year students.
Contributes to a welcoming, curious, and growth‑oriented campus environment
THE VISIBLE@X UPSTANDER AWARD
The Visible@X Upstander Award recognizes a student who demonstrates leadership in advancing campus safety and sexual violence prevention at StFX. This award honours a student who moves beyond awareness to action — someone who contributes to a culture of consent, accountability, and care. Presented to a student who:
Demonstrates upstander behaviour – Intervenes to address and prevent harmful behaviour, promoting consent, and contributing to safer campus spaces.
Actively engages in sexual violence prevention efforts through education, advocacy, peer leadership, or participation in campus initiatives.
Models respect, inclusion, and survivor-centered values while fostering a community grounded in consent and shared responsibility.
“CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE” STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD: Presented to a student who has been a champion in promoting awareness and action around issues of culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University.
The student actively participates in events, societies, and awareness campaigns at StFX or in the boarder community;
The student exemplifies the Xaverian values and holds others accountable;
The student has shown initiative around issues of concern regarding cultures, diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University.
THE TRAILBLAZER AWARD FOR THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF STFX: This will be awarded to an individual who is redefining success for themselves and their communities. They are braving the path less followed to pursue their goals while fostering a community of mentorship and collaboration to support international students as they find their own paths.
The student actively contributes to building at atmosphere that is welcoming, supportive, and engaging for all through community building, mentorship, and collaboration.
The student is intentional about leading by example as they pursue their unique path to success while showing commitment to their personal and professional development. This includes prioritizing their own mental wellness, actively engaging in opportunities to uncover and address their own bias or internalized racism or standing with and behind other non-dominant groups at StFX.
The student demonstrates strong inter-cultural competencies, self-awareness, an open attitude, respect, and humility.
THE SPIRIT OF BLACK JOY AWARD: Awarded to a student who embodies principles of Black Joy— resistance, resilience, and reclamation.
The student uplifts, loves, and supports fellow Black students;
The student should demonstrate a commitment to building and fostering positive relationships within the Black community and beyond;
The student should embrace Black cultures, knowledge, and ways of knowing.
INDIGENOUS SEVEN SACRED TEACHINGS AWARD: A student that strives to be guided by the seven sacred teachings. Love, humility, respect, courage, wisdom, honesty and truth.
The student has demonstrated an interest in Indigenous teachings, including the Seven Sacred Teachings;
The student demonstrates an understanding of the Seven Sacred Teachings in the ways they relate to other people;
The student embodies the virtues described in the teachings to live a full and healthy life.
THE OUT AWARD: 2SLGBTQIA+ STUDENT AWARD: A student who embodies the true meaning of PRIDE. This award will be given to a student who has shown commitment to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at StFX.
The student has been a visible community member on campus
The student has led by example – speaking up and stepping in when needed
The student has demonstrated understanding and compassion to other community members
The student actively participates in advocacy work
The student has shown up and helped others without being asked
FLOURISH@X AWARD: This will be awarded to a student who exemplifies commitment to developing their personal strengths and resiliency through positive actions and engagement, both individually and with the community.
The student has demonstrated positive habits and a commitment to self-growth;
The student has utilized campus resources, activities, and supports to build connection and community;
The student has exemplified proactive engagement in health and wellness on campus.
General Awards
POST GRADUATE AWARD: Students in post graduate studies.
SISTER CATHERINE MACNEIL: Will be awarded annually to a student in their freshman year and first year at StFX. A student in their first year of university at StFX but as a sophomore may also be eligible. This will be awarded to a student who has shown a strong commitment to academics in their first year of study at StFX.
MEECH: Will be awarded annually to a student in their freshman year and first year at StFX. Students in their first year of university at StFX but as a sophomore may also be eligible. This will be awarded to a student who has shown an outstanding commitment to the StFX community, or greater community of Antigonish.
CHARTERS: Students in their sophomore year at St. FX or students in their freshman year but second year at StFX.
BLIZZARD: Students in their junior year.
MARCEL LUSSIER: The Marcel Lussier Award shall consist of a permanent trophy kept at the Bloomfield Center. The Award shall commemorate Marcel Lussier, a third year Physical Education student, from Franklin Center, Huntington, Quebec who died in a car accident on December 30, 1970. He was a transfer student in 1970. Marcel played defensive half-back on the Varsity Football team. The Award shall be given to a deserving student of any year for the student’s contribution to the community, including the University and surrounding communities.
PETER FOLEY MEMORIAL AWARD: Peter Foley was a student of the class of 1987 at StFX who died of cancer on March 24 of that year. Criteria for the Award is as follows: - Awarded to a full-time student of StFX. who has shown perseverance in the face of exceptional difficulty or hardship in striving for a university education. “Difficulty or hardship” is to be interpreted broadly and need not be related to illness, but should not be interpreted primarily in terms of financial need.
Beyond the primary criterion of perseverance in the face of exceptional difficulty or hardship, the other criteria for the award are to be those normally applied to Students’ Union awards.
The recipient may be a member of any class, including post-graduate.
It is not to be given in a year when the Students’ Union Committee is unable to determine that there is a deserving recipient.
DR. SEAN RILEY AWARD: Dr. Sean Riley was the President of StFX from 1996- 2014. Dr. Riley graduated from StFX in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (First Class), where he was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal for highest academic standing at graduation. He was chosen by the student body as recipient of the Larkin Trophy as outstanding male student. As President of X-Project, a student and community outreach organization, he received the Marcel Lussier Award for community service. In 1974, Riley also was chosen StFX Male Athlete of the Year. Following a career in government, finance, and business, Dr. Riley served as StFX University President from 1996-2014. Throughout his time as University President, Dr. Riley was a tireless advocate for students and community development. This award is presented annually to a student who has shown leadership in involvement with the Coady International Institute and has a passion for “thinking globally, acting locally”.
STUDENT UNION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD: This award will be given to a volunteer working under one executive team member or Chair of Council of the Students’ Union. This award will be presented to the volunteer who has shown great enthusiasm, engagement and dedication to their role. The recipient will have shown significant work ethic and teamwork skills.
SENIOR AWARDS
THE GOLD X: The Gold X is awarded to those candidates who have given distinguished service in a number of student affairs. There shall be a maximum of ten (10) X’s awarded yearly.
THE SILVER X: The Silver X is awarded to those candidates who have served in a specified area. There shall be a maximum of ten (10) X’s awarded yearly.
LARKIN: A student in their senior year, presented annually to a student that exemplifies the Xaverian spirit, has had a strong academic career and athletic career at StFX.
SISTER CARMEL LOSIER: A student in their senior year. Presented annually to a student that exemplifies the Xaverian spirit, has had a strong academic career and provided outstanding leadership within the StFX community.
THE MEDIA X: The Media X certificates shall be awarded to senior students or post-graduates for involvement in the CFXU radio, The Annual or The Xaverian Weekly. There shall be a maximum of ten (10) X’s awarded yearly.
Society Of The Year
Society Of The Year: To be given to a society that best represents Xaverian spirit, culture, and values. In your nomination, please include how the society has had an impact on the StFX community this year.