Landmark Investment
In Tomorrow’s Leaders
The Honourable Frank McKenna ’70 and Julie ’72 McKenna and family make largest single private philanthropic gift in StFX history to establish McKenna Scholars Program.
The 2026 Spring Convocation weekend at StFX will go down in history—and not just for the graduates and their families. On Saturday morning, May 2, a large crowd of Xaverians and guests filled the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership for the announcement of the largest single private philanthropic gift the university has ever received.
“The legendary Xaverian spirit is fueled by a community that never stops giving back,” said David Graham ’92, Vice-President of Advancement, in his opening remarks.
Pictured L-r: Julie McKenna ’72, the Honourable Frank McKenna ’70, StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin, Linda Hakin, and StFX Chancellor Mila Mulroney ’04 (HON)
"Today we are here to witness an unprecedented milestone that sets a new gold standard for our future."
David Graham ’92 Vice-President of Advancement
StFX President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Andy Hakin then delivered the historic news: a $20 million dollar commitment to StFX from the Honourable Frank '70 and Julie McKenna '72 and their family.
“This transformative gift will change the lives of hundreds of students and fortify our university for generations to come,” said Dr. Hakin. “It will also ensure that StFX remains a true national destination."
He described Frank and Julie McKenna as “one of Canada’s most influential couples, recognized for their commitment to public service, to community, and to family."
StFX Board of Governors Chair, the Honourable Lisa Raitt '89, added the McKenna’s commitment to their alma mater is “nothing short of extraordinary.”
Left, StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin. Right: The Hon. Frank McKenna ’70 and Julie McKenna '72 and family
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Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships.
The extraordinary investment in StFX will establish The McKenna Scholars Program, a groundbreaking new undergraduate scholarship initiative designed to attract the best and brightest students to StFX. These new awards will not be tied to a specific field of study and will recognize academic excellence and community based leadership in Arts, Science, and Business.
At the highest level, the McKenna National Scholars valued at $125,000 over four years will be the most prestigious and lucrative undergraduate scholarships in Canada. Supporting these top awards are the McKenna Order of Merit scholarships, valued at $40,000, and the McKenna Scholars of Distinction, valued at $20,000.
A crucial part of the program will be a term dedicated to working and studying abroad to allow students to gain a global perspective.
McKenna Scholars Program supports per year:
8x National Scholars
16x Orders of Merit
36x Orders of Distinction
"One of the proudest days of our lives."
Taking the stage, Mr. McKenna reflected on his first memories of arriving at StFX. He had never been to Antigonish, or Nova Scotia, but fell in love with the campus immediately. I was smitten with StFX,” he said. “And I’ve been smitten ever since.”
He also shared that for him and his wife, Julie, the day was “one of the proudest days of our lives.” Not only were they announcing the gift but, more importantly, they had two members of the McKenna family their granddaughter, Ella, and their grandson, Noah graduating at StFX’s Spring Convocation.
The McKenna family also celebrated the graduation of two grandchildren, Noah McKenna ’26 and Ella Smith ’26.
"What is so uniquely powerful about a StFX education is the sense of community formed during one's time on campus."
David Graham ’92 Vice-President of Advancement
“At StFX, you not only get a globally recognized ring and a degree, but you get a master’s degree in civility and a PhD in character. And in a world of chaos, we could use more of both.”
First slide, The Hon. Frank McKenna ’70. Second slide, The Hon. Frank McKenna ’70 and journalist Steve Paikin.
Investing in tomorrow’s leaders during uncertain times.
Immediately following the announcement, the campus community was joined by Canadian journalist, author, and documentary producer, Steve Paikin, for a live taping of The Paikin Podcast. Mr. Paikin invited Chancellor Dr. Mila Mulroney ’04, Dr. Hakin, and Mr. McKenna to the stage for a wide-ranging discussion about both the role of universities in today’s rapidly changing world, and Mr. McKenna’s illustrious political career.
The conversation began with Chancellor Mila Mulroney’s reflections on her late husband, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59 and his love of StFX and the inclusive, generous community he found on campus as an undergraduate student. It was at StFX that his intellectual curiosity and love of politics first developed, which helped propel him forward in his career.
This topic of broadening one’s thinking returned throughout the discussion. “We need broad-minded citizens,” Mr. McKenna explained. “People who aren’t only capable of linear thinking, but who are capable of bringing all of the pieces together.”
It's for this reason that the new McKenna Scholars program is “agnostic” when it comes to a particular field of study.
"We have to be a haven for the brightest minds on the planet."
The inaugural cohort of McKenna Scholars will arrive on campus for the 2027-2028 academic year.
Watch the Honourable Frank McKenna’s full speech from the historic announcement:
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