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

2025 Hall of Honour Inductees

Adele Upton '53

A lifelong example of compassion, leadership, and service, Adele Upton ’53 has strengthened every community she’s been part of – including StFX. Her enduring bond with her alma mater reflects a lifelong commitment to Xaverian values.  

Raised in Ottawa and Moncton, Adele spent her undergraduate years living in Mount Saint Bernard. She completed her studies in home economics, majoring in foods and nutrition, while participating on the StFX women’s basketball team. She contributed to campus life as president of her junior year and a student council member at the Mount, and through involvement in both athletics and the arts.  

After graduation, Adele completed a dietetic internship at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. She went on to work with the federal government and later taught in high schools in Ontario and Quebec.  

In 1957, Adele met her husband, Frank. Together they raised four children, and Adele stayed at home with them for many years. She returned to work while continuing to care for family members, and later, would support her husband through his battle with ALS.  

Adele’s generosity and energy have touched countless lives. Guided by her faith, she has supported Haitian earthquake refugees, volunteered at a local food bank, run errands for those unable to drive, and mentored fellow educators.  

An active and passionate alumna, Adele never misses an opportunity to talk about her X-Ring and its meaning. Her enthusiastic presence at Homecoming and local alumni events is matched by her initiative – such as the year she organized a group of senior alumni to attend Mass for the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier. She has inspired several family members to attend StFX, including her son, daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren.  

A Xaverian in every sense of the word, Adele Upton lives and breathes the meaning of our university motto, Quaecumque Sunt Vera / Whatsoever Things are True.  

Iain Boyd '75

To know Iain Boyd ’75 is to witness the Xaverian spirit in action.  

On the 50th anniversary of his graduation, Iain is inducted into the StFX Hall of Honour in recognition of his transformative impact on the university and the Antigonish community.  

Beginning his career at StFX in 1976, Iain held a series of key roles that shaped the university’s development – including Manager of Bloomfield Centre and Students’ Union Administrator, Development Officer, Director of Development, Ceremonial Officer, Acting Director of Alumni Affairs, Director of Advancement Relations, and Chief Campaign Officer for the Xaverian Fund. His leadership in advancement and fundraising helped modernize the campus, expand academic programming, and reinforce StFX’s commitment to social justice.  

Iain’s deep institutional knowledge and enduring relationships with alumni continue to make him a sought-after advisor. A proud and active alumnus, he has been instrumental in organizing his class’s Golden Grad reunion and has helped lead legacy fundraising towards a $100,000 goal.  

Beyond campus, Iain has been a driving force behind the Antigonish Highland Games, leading the Games’ 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013. He twice served as President and Chief of the Clans of the Antigonish Highland Society and was honoured with Life Membership in 2022.

Iain’s broader community leadership has encompassed a range of roles – from board service with the Bergengren Credit Union, the Casket Printing and Publishing Company, and the Bishop William E. Power Foundation, to membership on the St. Ninian’s Parish Council, and ongoing service as a Trustee of the Northern Nova Scotia Foundation.  

Whether organizing cultural celebrations, leading capital campaigns, or mentoring colleagues, Iain Boyd exemplifies the Xaverian values of integrity and compassion. His legacy is not only in what he has built, but in the trust, connection, and community he has fostered across generations. 

Kevin Robertson '66

There is nothing more Xaverian than a life lived in service to others, and few lives exemplify this more fully than Kevin Robertson’s. A proud member of the StFX Class of 1966, Kevin is an educator whose deep faith and quiet generosity have shaped a legacy of impact, earning him a place in the StFX Hall of Honour.  

The first in his family to earn a university degree, Kevin embraced the spirit of service early on through X-Project, helping youth from neighbouring communities with homework and after-school sports.  

Over a 34-year teaching and administrative career in Saint John, New Brunswick, Kevin became known for going above and beyond – coaching teams, organizing clubs, and leading special events. At his retirement from Hampton Elementary School, students filled the halls with drawings of “Mr. Robertson." That year, the school received a human rights award for its musical play Peace Cranes 2000.  

Kevin’s commitment to education didn’t stop there; in retirement, he taught the General Education Development (GED) program, supporting adult learners in achieving their goals.

His contributions extend far beyond the classroom – from chairing Big Brothers Big Sister of Saint John to helping organize the Bowl for Kids’ Sake Fundraiser and volunteering at the Canada Summer Games. An early environmentalist, he championed recycling, composting, and schoolyard clean-ups long before they were mainstream.  

Kevin’s community involvement is matched by a steadfast devotion to family and faith. He is a loving husband of 56 years to Jane, father to four daughters, and grandfather to Jai Punna, a current StFX student.  

Kevin’s love for his alma mater shines through in his presence at alumni events and his encouragement of others to discover StFX. From the classroom to the community to his personal life, Kevin models the values of integrity and care for others – values that define a true Xaverian.