AST News


AST Convocation 2024 Honourees

April 4, 2024 - Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia, will receive a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, at AST's upcoming convocation.  In addition, Gracey Southwell, CMA, CP, will be recognized as an Associate of Atlantic School of Theology. Convocation 2024 takes place on May 4, 2024.

Read the full news release

Dr. Susan MacAlpine-Gillis Appointed to the position of AST Academic Dean

January 4, 2024 - AST is thrilled to announce the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Susan MacAlpine-Gillis as full-time Academic Dean,  effective immediately. Susan has served as Acting Academic Dean since July of 2023. “I am truly delighted that Susan has agreed to continue a full term as our Academic Dean,” said AST President, the Rev. Dr. Heather McCance. “She brings a wealth of experience in the worlds of church and academy, and her history with our university as well as her passion and competence in this work is a real gift to us all.”

“We are beginning our new year with some good news. President McCance has informed me that Dr. McAlpine-Gillis has agreed to become Academic Dean. Dr. MacAlpine-Gillis was originally asked to be the Academic Dean. She requested the “acting” status as she wanted to assess whether she felt called to the role. In her short time in the role, she has demonstrated both call and exceptional capacity” said Linda Yates, Chair of AST Board of Governors.

AST looks forward this exciting chapter under the Rev. Dr. MacAlpine-Gillis's leadership, as the university remains committed to its mission of shaping faithful and effective leaders and understanding among communities of faith.

AST opens call for nominations for Honourary Doctor of Divinity and Associate

To be awarded at convocation 2024. Links below provide criteria and application forms.

AST Announces Exciting Launch of Bachelor of Theology Program

AST is thrilled to announce the launch of a Bachelor of Theology Program, adding to its theological education offerings and welcoming undergraduates to study theology and/or prepare for ministry. Students can study online and on our beautiful campus in Halifax. The 30-credit Bachelor of Theology can be completed in three years, even less if students opt to study year-round. This degree is perfect for those feeling called to lay or ordained ministry, and who want to develop pastoral skills and a critical understanding of Scripture as well as church history and theology. Read the full news release.

AST Announces Recipients for the
Honourable Mayann Francis Faith in Action Award 2023

The Honourable Mayann Francis Faith in Action Award honours exceptional community outreach that is recognized as having provided significant benefit to the wider community. This outreach award is given to an individual whose honoured work is driven by their religious commitment to the faith tradition to which they belong. Having taken a break from this gathering during the COVID pandemic, the Atlantic School of Theology is honoured to be able to again host this celebration of the work of some truly remarkable people:

Read the full news release

The Honourable Mayann Francis Faith in Action Award 2023

AST Announces New President

Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Heather McCance as President of AST, effective August 1, 2023.

Read the full news release.

Convocation Honourees 2023

Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is proud to announce that Cresco Principals Taleb Abidali and Hossein Mousavi will be receiving Honourary Degrees at the upcoming convocation ceremony on May 13, 2023.

AST will also honour the following as associates in recognition of previous service to the university.

  • The Rev. Debra Burleson
  • The Rev. Dr. William J D Close
  • The Rev. Dr. Sally Shaw
  • Cynthia Thomson
  • Dr. Tom McIllwraith

Read the full news release.

AST to receive $3 Million in Infrastructure Funding

On December 19, 2022, the Province of Nova Scotia announced that AST will be receiving $3 Million in Infrastructure funding to preserve and maintain student accommodations. This includes repairs to the brickwork, new plumbing, Wi-Fi system updates, and upgrades to the shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. It will also increase the number of spaces from 65 to 97. We are grateful to the Nova Scotia Government for this funding to help address the growing need for student accommodation.

The full press release is available here:
More Funding to Increase Housing Options for Post-Secondary Students - Government of Nova Scotia, Canada

AST Begins Search for New President

The search for a new president at Atlantic School of Theology (AST) has begun. Following an extensive community consultation process, the university welcomes applications and nominations for the position and has retained the services of the Griffith Group, which will conduct an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. The Search Committee fully expects that the AST Board of Governors will be able to announce a successful candidate by June 2023.

Application details are available on the Griffith Group website: https://griffithgroup.ca/atlantic-school-theology-president/.

Contacts:

AST and ASTFA Reach a Tentative 3-Year Agreement

Atlantic School of Theology and the Faculty Association of AST (ASTFA) are pleased to announce that they have reached a tentative three (3)-year agreement after an eleven-month collective bargaining process.

The fourth collective agreement expired on March 3, 2022. Both parties extend their sincere appreciation to the Province of Nova Scotia for its conciliation support. Additional details will be available once the agreement has been ratified by the ASTFA members and the AST University Board of Governors. Ratification votes will be held as quickly as possible.

AST Students to Benefit from New Online Registration System

AST and Saint Mary’s University (SMU) are partnering on admissions and registration systems that will directly benefit students who register for courses and programs at AST. Read more about this exciting project!