By Jessica Wind (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: June 20, 2012
Are you ready to become social agents of change? This was the challenge set forth by Jennifer Ofeimu, student speaker and graduate from the Faculty of Professional Studies in the Teacher Education program, at convocation ceremonies on June 14. The challenge went out to all 2012 graduates and future graduates of UFV.
The AESC was buzzing with excitement as over 2000 students were awarded with diplomas, certificates and degrees. Spanning two days, the ceremonies were divided by faculty: graduates from the Faculty of Professional Studies and the Faculty of Access and Open studies crossed the stage on Thursday afternoon, all graduates from the College of Arts crossed on Friday morning, and the graduates from the Faculties of Science, Health Sciences and Trades and Technology crossed on Friday afternoon. Not only did this event recognize the successful students of UFV, it celebrated long standing members of the Fraser Valley community Ray Silver Sr., Red Robinson and Sheldon Kennedy with honourary doctorates. UFV also presented professors Dr. Olav Lian with the Research Excellence award and Dr. Sheryl McMath with the Teaching Excellence Award at the event. It was two days full of significant accomplishments for both the recipients and UFV.
Brad Whittaker, director of Research Services and Industry Liason, did a wonderful job emceeing the ceremonies. UFV chancellor Brian Minter and UFV president and vice chancellor Mark Evered’s speeches were both personal and inspirational. First the guests were all acknowledged and thanked for their constant support of the graduates. Then the attention shifted to the capped and gowned students in the middle of the arena. Minter thanked the students for being instrumental in allowing UFV to stay true to its goal of being 100 per cent student oriented. Evered humbly stated that it was an honour and privilege to serve them in their education. Both speakers were clear in the message they hoped would be taken away and Minter summed it up nicely: “Our future depends on you, and we feel pretty good about that. Thanks a million.”
The theme of the event was evident: go out and plant your flag in the world. Helena Fraser, awarded a BSc in Biology with honours, heard this message loud and clear. She plans to put her degree to work in the field of Ecology at the local mines in Fernie, BC. When asked to pass on words of encouragement to the undergrads she emphasized the importance of campus involvement; take part in everything from clubs and activities to research projects. “Fun and unique opportunities build character and those memories will always stay with you,” she said.
Many students make the choice not to attend their graduation ceremonies for varying reasons, from time conflicts to simply not caring to sit through them. When asked, Tara Young, awarded a certificate in Early Childhood Education, said she would have regretted not going. “You feel special and more connected to the school,” she said. She was impressed at the organization on the day of the ceremony, noting that there were even people there to help the grads get dressed. Tara said that her family was obviously among her biggest support, but having friends in her program to complain with is really what helped her through the tough times.
Allison Anderson, awarded a BBA in Accounting and Financial Management and a certificate in Professional Communications had similar anecdotes, thanking her friends for “struggling through all the brutal tests” with her. When asked what she will take away from her time at UFV she responded that a good teacher can make all the difference and that she really likes steeped tea (after standing in a 20 minute long lineup day in and day out to get one).
With another convocation ceremony passed, UFV has unleashed another round of eager critical thinkers into the world. As students of this institution, and as members of this community, we are being challenged and inspired with each graduating class to rise to the occasion and make differences in our respective fields of study. UFV grows because we do, because we continue to learn and take on opportunities as they present themselves. Ray Silver Sr., an Honourary Doctorate of Laws recipient, was almost moved to speechlessness at the podium, but remarked that at 83-years-old he is still learning. He reminded us all why we are here, “education is the way of the future; never stop learning.”
