“I had my heart set from a young age on going to Mount Allison,” says Catherine Callbeck, who grew up in Central Bedeque, PE. “I arrived in 1956, a short time after my seventeenth birthday. It was the beginning of four wonderful years of new experiences and personal growth that helped me overcome my shyness and build my confidence.”

Callbeck was the third woman to earn a business degree from Mount Allison University, receiving her Bachelor of Commerce in 1960.

She reminisces about playing hockey and debating in model parliament, where she once argued for a fixed link between PE and NB — little did Callbeck know that decades later she would lead PEI through the construction of the Confederation Bridge. Reflecting on these and other fond memories, she is grateful for the role Mount Allison played in helping her achieve her many goals in her personal, business, and public life.

“For example, the confidence I gained at Mount Allison helped me to stand my ground in my first interview for a business teaching job, demanding the same wage being paid to the male teachers rather than the lower wage being paid to the female teachers. I got the job and the higher wage.”

Callbeck has had a long and distinguished career in teaching, business, and provincial and federal politics. She was first elected to Prince Edward Island’s legislative assembly in 1974 and later served as the province’s premier from 1993 to 1996, becoming Canada’s first female premier to win a general election. Callbeck was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1997, and since her retirement in 2014, she has continued to support education and community causes. 

“I am a great believer in education, and the reality that it is a lifetime undertaking,” says Callbeck. “It is both academic and social learning, and a wise learner embraces all aspects. As an example, living in residence at Mount Allison taught me many life and social skills that I applied in my careers as equally as my academic courses.”

Mount Allison has always been close to Callbeck’s heart and an important part of her philanthropy and volunteerism. 

The Honorable Catherine Callbeck Award, created more than two decades ago, has supported dozens of students. Callbeck has supported several other University initiatives through the years, most recently creating the Catherine Callbeck Fund to Support Women in Business, which will foster greater opportunities for Mount Allison students.

“Helping build confidence in people, a feeling of worth and belonging, is an area in which I want to take positive action,” says Callbeck. “I especially want to help women build their confidence, for I have experienced seeing too many gifted and talented women hold themselves back because of lack of confidence. Having confidence opens doors for people and helps them build their potential, which is a win-win for the individual and society.”

The Catherine Callbeck Fund to Support Women in Business will provide support for leadership events and guest speakers on campus, opportunities for students to engage in mentoring and networking, and other professional development initiatives.

Students Bentley Huffington (’25) and Mia Cogger co-lead the Mount Allison Women in Commerce Society and are very appreciative of the donation. 

“All the great things that Catherine Callbeck has done, and how she continues to support and encourage women in business and in life — I think it is amazing,” says Cogger.

Huffington is earning dual degrees at Mount Allison, completing her Bachelor of Science in 2025 and Bachelor of Commerce in 2026, and previously led the Mount Allison Women in Science Society. She says Callbeck’s support is inspiring and sets a powerful example of the importance of supporting other women. 

“Her support gives us confidence in what we are doing,” says Huffington.