How do you celebrate and represent your school colours?

This year—2025— marks the fiftieth year that one of HARP’s Co Founders, Dorothy Lander, has been continuous in-place connected to St. Francis Xavier University (StFX). That is to say, Lander has admired her alma mater from nearly every possible angle. As a StFX student and alumna (MAdEd ’81); their dedicated Service Operations Manager (residences, food service, cleaning services, conference services); their Graduate Student Advisor with their Faculty of Adult Education; and most recently, a generous donor/volunteer with the Coady Institute. Early July (2025), Dorothy wrote a nostalgic piece to commemorate her longstanding commitment to the community, sharing it for friends to read and chime in on through various social media channels. With these colours resonating so deeply for both Dorothy and her friends, we decided it deserved to be featured on HARP’s blog . Please find below her dedication, with her friend’s comments to follow.

“Dorothy Blooms Blue and White”

Here is how I represent my school colours.

I “bleed” blue and white for StFX: loyalty, commitment, sacrifice.

And, in this summer season I “bloom” blue and white for StFX —flourishing, abundance, and reverence for Mother Earth— always with a green backdrop for Go X Go, and renewable energy.

I bloom blue and white for the Antigonish Movement with its roots in the StFX Extension Dept.

I bloom blue and white for the Sisters of St. Martha and their living witness of service and gospel hospitality, where they lived and worked from 1900.

I bloom blue and white for the Congregation of Notre Dame and Mount St. Bernard College, first women graduates in 1897.

I bloom for the Indigenous Leadership for Community Development initiated by Mary Coyle (then VP, now Senator) and President Sean Riley.

I bloom blue and white for X-Project, the student tutoring program in African and Mi’kmaw communities led by Joan Dillon from 1965, which continues today at Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, Lincolnville, Sunnyville and Upper Tracadie.

I bloom for Global Change Leaders, which we played a part in 2022 under the leadership of Sarika Sinha.

I bloom for Katherine Fleming (’85) and her lifework of overcoming child poverty in Africa.

I bloom for the leaders who sustain the arts on campus – Theatre Antigonish, Abbey-X, University Singers, Jazz Ensemble…and…and  I bloom blue and white, home for the Special Olympics Summer Games.

I bloom blue and white for the donors whose gifts to StFX are not to get a tax receipt or tied to personal recognition in bestowing of honorary degrees or their names on monuments/buildings. Jeannine Deveau’s (’44) gift, the largest from alumni, established Centre for Indigenous Governance and Social Justice and Black Student Success Centre.

I bloom blue and white in memory of my 50-year friendship with Mary Lillian MacDonald (aka Sister Lillian, Kitty V) who died in Feb 2025 and leaves a legacy of service and kindness that was recognized with many awards including the honorary X ring.

…and many share Dorothy’s enthusiasm…

“Dorothy… you do bloom Blue and White and are so good to bring us along with you through your postings, messages and actions. I bloom blue and white through my celebration of other professionals in healthcare that are wearing their X rings and doing amazing work. I am so very proud to have done my Masters of Adult Education at StFX! Go Blue and White… forever! “~ Barb O’Neil

“Well stone the crows Old Pharaoh said”! (Tim Rice) This is both uplifting and sobering as your years of service to the White & Blue, are Yeomen, Legendary, and a Half-century on (with many happy returns)!

The sobering part was when I realized I started at X in 1978, so will turn 50 years on (God willing) in 3 years – Yikes!

In honour of the occasion, I set out below the words to X’s Fight Song and Salutation “Hail & Health” which notes the role of the old white & blue, which on this Canada Day, is joyously blooming all over the X Universe!

Congratulations Dorothy, this photo bloom is for U!” – KVX

PS: Hail & Health!

Hail and health to Alma Mater;
On for StFX’s name;
Leading, trailing, vim unfailing
Play the game. Life’s the goal that gleams before us;
Faith and honour free;
Swells the old Xaverian chorus;
Sing for victory
Rah, Rah, Rah…. Chorus We of old St. Francis Xavier
Caring hearts and true;
Years may creep, but still we’ll keep
Loyal to the white and blue. Sing for friends no longer near us,
Sing for happy days of yore.
Forward striving, onward driving,
Get that score Memories of high endeavour,
Stir our spirits still;
Here’s to StFX forever
Sing it with a will! Rah, Rah, Rah!” ~Kevin MacDonald

“Honoured to be mentioned in the context of the StFX Extension Department. I started my career trajectory early there as a ‘volunteer’ – we sealed and stamped many mailings.”~Emily Mansour-Hemlow.

“The blue goddess!” ~Celeste Snowber

“this is simply so amazing Dorothy! I so treasure our reconnecting! I am spending Canada Day with a friend visiting from Winnipeg. watching the afternoon Celebrations in Ottawa and now the evening one on CBC! My love for our country was completely affirmed by my years at STFXU. Our Values-caring,sharing, empathy,empowerment, kindness, compassion,acceptance,tolerance, decency. Basically,just trying to be a good person.” ~Jim Healy

“You are a remarkable person Dorothy Lander and our StFX community and our Antigonish community are the better for having you here.” ~Mary Coyle

“Love, love, love this Dorothy!” ~Connie Wrigley-Thomas.

“How beautiful! You do your school proud Dorothy!” ~Norine Verberg.

“Dorothy; You are one of the best writers I know. Keep going!” ~Leon MacLellan.

“Oh dearest of wildflowers: you bloom wherever you’re planted! Indeed you and John Graham-Pole are FOREVER in bloom. Because you keep planting and harvesting seeds. DnJ: perennial *efflorescence* personified.” ~Robin Grant.