Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick, Canadian ambassador to the United States, and current chairman of Brookfield Asset Management, has pledged $20 million to his alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The donation will fund an ambitious scholarship program described as the largest in the country.
McKenna's Background and Motivation
McKenna, who grew up as one of eight siblings on a poor farm in New Brunswick, credits StFX with transforming his life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970 and served as student union president. His family has deep ties to the university: his wife, children, and several in-laws are alumni, and five of his grandchildren currently attend StFX.
“I’ve been hugely blessed in my life,” McKenna said. “I come from a very poor farming family in New Brunswick, a large family of 10. I was able to go from that background to be honoured as premier of the province of New Brunswick, and later became blessed to become ambassador for Canada. I just am hugely grateful for those blessings and I wanted to give back to my country and back to my region.”
The McKenna Scholarship Program
The McKenna Scholarship Program will be awarded across all StFX faculties, including arts, science, and business. It aims to attract the strongest students in Canada, both academically and in leadership. McKenna hopes the program will make post-secondary education more accessible and encourage students from major cities to consider Maritime schools.
“The scholarships will be the largest in the country,” McKenna told the National Post. “The program will be large and prestigious and should attract the strongest students in the country, both academically and in terms of their leadership skills.”
McKenna's Career and Connection to StFX
After StFX, McKenna earned a graduate degree in political science from Queen's University and a law degree from the University of New Brunswick. He gained fame as a lawyer for successfully defending boxing champion Yvon Durelle against a murder charge in 1977. In 1982, he entered provincial politics as a Liberal, winning a seat in the New Brunswick legislature. He became premier in 1987 and resigned after exactly 10 years, as promised. He then spent nearly a decade in business, serving on corporate boards and as legal counsel.
McKenna's donation will be commemorated during StFX's convocation ceremony in May, where he is scheduled to speak. Two of his grandchildren are graduating, adding a personal touch to the event. “I’ve got two grandchildren graduating, so I don’t want to diminish: that’s why we’re all here,” he joked.
This $20-million pledge underscores McKenna's enduring gratitude and commitment to his alma mater, ensuring future generations of students have opportunities similar to those that shaped his own remarkable journey.
