Congratulations to the Class of 2007
The University of Prince Edward Island held its 38th Convocation exercises on Saturday, May 12, in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. A total of 798 diplomas, certificates, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees were awarded during two ceremonies.
"Convocation is a proud day, for our graduates, their families and the many members of the UPEI family who have played an integral role in their growth and success," said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "There is a very special sense of community between our graduating students and the many dedicated people who have worked with them as teachers, advisors, mentors, friends and key donors who join in celebrating this great moment in their lives."
The University conferred honorary degrees on four individuals whose exceptional professional and community achievements have made them inspiring role models for new graduates. They were Richard Homburg, Donna Jane Campbell, Paul Giannelia, and Kay MacPhee. The morning convocation address was delivered by Richard Homburg and the afternoon address was given by Kay MacPhee.
Dr. Regis Duffy, past Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors, was recognized for his outstanding service and commitment. He received the distinguished title of Chair Emeritus. The University also honoured Dr. Elizabeth Epperly by conferring on her the title of Professor Emerita and Dr. Thomy Nilsson who received the title of Professor Emeritus.
The Marshal was Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon. The Honorary Marshals were Dr. Lawson Drake, PWC'48, Glen Hughes, SDU'67, Shirley Beck, PWC'47, and John Rowe, SDU'67. The Class of 2007 Mace Bearers were Meidrym Jozef Hebda and Ellen Elisabeth Scales Klein. The Governor General's Medals were awarded to Dr. Mathieu Peyrou (graduate) and Brodie Champion (undergraduate). The valedictorians were Dr. Amy Stillwell at the morning ceremony and Derek Bondt in the afternoon.
The number of postgraduate degrees conferred by UPEI continued to expand this year. Nine students received their Doctor of Philosophy degrees, an all-time high. A new physics co-op program in the Faculty of Science celebrated its first group of graduates. As in other UPEI co-op programs, these students have benefitted from work placements with prestigious employers across Canada while studying for their degrees. This year also saw the first graduates from the new Bachelor of Child and Family Studies joint program with Holland College.
Two First Nations students made history in 2007 in very different fields. Jukeepa Hainnu of Clyde River, Baffin Island graduated with her Master of Education in Leadership. She is the first Inuit woman from Baffin Island to obtain an MEd. Soon after convocation, she will fly back to Baffin Island to take up her principal's duties at Quluaq School and to resume her position as a community leader. Jesse Benjamin of Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia was the first Mi'kmaq student to graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI. She has accepted employment with a small animal practice in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia.
Graduation week provides an opportunity to reflect on the significant commitment that students have made in order to each their goals and#150; students such as biology graduate Matthew Allain who applied his talent as a fiddle player to partially fund the cost of his education by recording a CD and selling it himself; or business graduate Rob Peters who, although seeing-impaired, completed his degree on a part-time basis, while working in a full-time job.
The importance of commitment was the theme of honorary graduate Kay MacPhee's address at the afternoon ceremony. "Commit to the truth and be courageous and relentless in that commitment. It may be a temptation to follow the easy way, the familiar paths, but life may ask you to cut a path through the jungle rather than simply stay on the flat paved road," she said. "Each of you has your own vision to fulfill your own truth. Commit to this truth, explore this truth and then defend this truth. Each of us can work to change a small part of the world."
Dr. Amy Stillwell, the valedictorian for the morning ceremony, expressed it this way: "I urge all of you to set new goals for yourselves, believe in your abilities, work hard to make a difference in the lives of others, and maintain the passion to achieve your future dreams. To the University of Prince Edward Island, my classmates at the Atlantic Veterinary College and to the entire UPEI Class of 2007: thank you and congratulations."
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To see Convocation photos go to http://welcome.upei.ca/
