Convocation: An End and a New Beginning

Paul Sobey, an Honorary Degree recipient, told students attending Convocation May 20, 2011 to be guided by personal values and to keep in touch with one another. University President Dr. Colin Dodds and Chancellor Dr. Robert P. Kelly dress hooding candidate Seyara Shwetz of Alberta as part of one of the Convocation rituals. After the formal Convocation ceremony was over, it was time for pictures with friends on stage..

Nine hundred students entered the Metro Centre Friday May 20 as Saint Mary's students and emerged as University alumni.

In a colourful ceremony rich with tradition, students attending Convocation crossed the stage one-by one to receive degrees and diplomas earned after years of study.

Parents and relatives in the audience clapped, cheered and sometimes cried as their son or daughter was officially recognized.

Six prominent leaders from the world of education, business, publishing and philanthropy received honorary doctorates during the ceremony.

The recipients were Dr. Peter Aucoin, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration Dalhousie University; Sarah Dennis, President and CEO of The Halifax Herald Ltd.; retired Citizenship Court Judge, Ms. Helen Gillis; master dance instructor and choreographer, Leica Hardy; Dr. Donald Savoie, a professor of public administration at Université de Moncton and Paul D. Sobey, President and CEO of Empire Company Limited.

Students from the Faculty of Science, the Sobey School of Business, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research focused on Science or Commerce, received their treasured parchment during a morning ceremony. Arts undergraduates and Faculty of Graduate Studies students in the discipline of Arts received their recognition in an afternoon ceremony.

In an address to students in the morning ceremony, Valedictorian Latero Rolle told students that the purpose of an education was to enrich character. Students were advised to think positive in the future, be optimistic, recognize the powerful tool of an education, continue to learn outside the classroom and never satisfy your natural curiosity for knowledge.

Also in a morning address, Paul Sobey advised students to be guided by personal values and to keep in touch with one another. He suggested that hard work, true passion, integrity and commitment will help graduates achieve and surpass their goals in the future.

Read his full speech.

In the afternoon ceremony, Valedictorian Cait Dix spoke about the uncertainty that can often accompany graduation, but reminded graduates that uncertainty brings unlimited possibilities and the future was theirs for the taking. Dix encouraged graduates to embrace and become instruments of change.

Ms. Dennis described how learning is a lifelong journey that must be embraced. She asserted that graduates should be open to learning, welcoming and seeking it out throughout their lives. Graduates were urged to keep their mind open, to stay informed about the community and to treat others the way they wish to be treated.

Read her full speech

The event was presided over by Chancellor Dr. Robert P. Kelly. Dr. Kelly, Chair and CEO of BNY Mellon, was installed into the position during Convocation in the Fall of 2010.  In a brief address to the students Dr. Kelly urged the grads to be proud of the the fact they live in the "coolest country in the world."

The afternoon Valedictorian address was presented by Cait Dix, Outgoing Vice-President Academic of the Saint Mary's Student Association. The Hooding Candidates were Seyara Shwetz of Alberta and Natasha Butterfield of Bermuda.

Retiring faculty recognized at the ceremony included Dr. Mike Larsen (Arts), Dr. David Turner (Physics and Astronomy) and Dr. Janet Gregory (Department of Finance, Information Systems and Management Science)

The Father William A. Stewart, S.J., Medal for Teaching was presented to Creative Writing Coordinator and Professor Dr. Brian Bartlett.

This page last modified Friday, 27-May-2011 10:29:51 ADT