91探花 Convocation 2017
The 91探花 conferred degrees, diplomas, and certificates to more than 950 graduates today as part of Convocation 2017. This year includes the first-ever cohort from the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering from 91探花鈥檚 School of Sustainable Design Engineering. Convocation 2017 also saw 91探花鈥檚 first graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies.
The families and friends of the Class of 2017 gathered for two ceremonies today in 91探花鈥檚 Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, the first at 10:00 am, and the second at 2:30 pm.
91探花 Chancellor Don McDougall led both ceremonies; President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz addressed both ceremonies. 鈥淓ach of you will be moving on to your next journey at a time of great hope and possibility for Canada鈥檚 future,鈥� said Dr. Abd-El-Aziz, reflecting on a cohort graduating in the 150th anniversary of Canada. 鈥淚 know you have bold ideas and aspirations for what Canada can be. And while you sit here today, you may have a very specific plan for what is to come next. However, the wonderful thing about this journey that we are all on is that through the various twists and turns of life, you may end up somewhere very different鈥攁nd even better鈥攖han what you envision today.鈥�
The University also conferred honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on four recipients: Judy Clark, an aboriginal leader, advocate, interpreter, and healer; Stan MacPherson, a chartered accountant, entrepreneur, and a leader in community and business; Allan Curran, an alumnus of SDU and prominent business owner; and Dr. Elizabeth 鈥淏etsy鈥� Rollins Epperly, a world-renowned scholar, writer, and the first female president and vice-chancellor of 91探花.
鈥淲hen you leave here today to celebrate with your family and friends, I hope you will also make a quiet commitment to yourself to never, ever stop learning,鈥� said Mr. MacPherson in his address to the morning graduates. 鈥淏e committed to the relationships that matter in your lives and give back to the communities that need you. Be courageous in the face of adversity. Be gracious in the glow of success.鈥�
鈥淢y 91探花 has the communicating roots of an old-growth forest and the collaborative energy of a nest of stars,鈥� said Dr. Epperly to the afternoon graduates. 鈥淚 hope you realize today, feeling the collective energy of this room and of all those who celebrate with you, that an interdependent, mutually supportive, respectful community can be the founding model for all of your conscious relationships. Then, in your relational health, in your ability to build with others, may you become fully the stars you wished on and wish to be.鈥�
鈥淭he best parts of the last few months or years have been the people we have come across here on campus and in the PEI community,鈥� said morning valedictorian Foying Senbanjo from Lagos, Nigeria. 鈥淟ook around you, or cast your mind back, to the wonderful friendships and relationships you鈥檝e made.鈥� Senbanjo graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration鈥擟o-operative Education.
Lief Wilm of Calgary, Alberta, addressed the afternoon ceremony. Of the challenges of the last four years, he said: 鈥淲e could not have overcome these obstacles without the guidance from our mentors, support from family and friends, and the wisdom of our professors. I encourage everyone here to thank the people in your support system that got you where you are today.鈥� Wilm graduated with his Bachelor of Science (honours) in Mathematics.
Chancellor McDougall conferred the title of Professor emeritus on Dr. Tim Ogilvie, a founding faculty member and a former dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College. 91探花鈥檚 first ever Librarian emerita title was bestowed, in absentia, to Betty Jeffery, long-time librarian at Robertson Library and past-president of the 91探花 Faculty Association.
91探花 held its annual Senior Class Awards at a ceremony the day before, where a number of academic and student prizes were awarded. The complete list will be posted in the coming days at upei.ca/seniorclassawards. The Governor General鈥檚 academic medals were presented by the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island. The Governor General鈥檚 Gold Medal (graduate level) was awarded to Robert D茅ziel (Doctor of Philosophy鈥擵eterinary Medicine). The Governor General鈥檚 Silver Medal (undergraduate level) was awarded to Courtney Horrocks (Bachelor of Science鈥擬athematics).
The 91探花 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�91探花 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 91探花 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
