It was a special day for senior St. FX students. They received their graduation ring or X-Ring at a
Class of 2021 co-president Ally Hancock. (St. FX University photo)
ceremony yesterday afternoon. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic it was a different X-Ring ceremony as it was held virtually; a small group of student and university leaders gathered, socially distanced, at the Bloomfield Centre’s MacKay Room. The remainder of the 2021 class watched the ceremony on-line.
Class co-president Ally Hancock says each X-Ring carries a unique story coupled with shared experiences.
Hancock says the X-Ring is a symbol that students challenged their minds, called a small rural
Graduating student and X-Ring recipient Tania Tesson from Paris, France was ecstatic to receive her ring. (St. FX University photo)
town home for a period of their lives, felt an affinity to this place, and experienced moments that you laughed until you cried or reached such depths that you hugged.
The guest speaker at the event was 1970 St. FX graduate Frank McKenna, a former Chair of the St. FX Board of Governors and a former Premier of New Brunswick. McKenna, speaking to students via video says the X-Ring is more than just a ring.
It was a very proud day for McKenna, as 50 years after he graduated, his grandson Jay received his X-Ring. The honourary X-Ring was awarded to St. FX Education professor Joanne Tompkins, a respected faculty member for more than two decades.