spring congregation 2017 may 24–26 may 29–june 1 the chan centre for the performing arts Dear Graduand, Your graduation began long before this day. It began when you made the choice to study that extra hour, dedicate yourself more deeply, and strive to reach for the degree you had chosen to fully commit your life to pursuing. Many of the people that helped you arrive here today are seated beside you—friends, family, classmates— while others are thinking of you from afar. We are honoured to have given you a place to discover, inspire others and be challenged beyond what you thought was possible. We hope you know, we will always be that place for you. Yours, UBC TABLE OF CONTENTS The Graduation Journey 2 Lists of Spring 2017 Graduating Students Graduation Traditions 4 Wednesday, May 24, 2017 8:30am 30 Chancellor’s Welcome 6 11:00am 34 President’s Welcome 8 1:30pm 37 Musqueam Welcome 10 4:00pm 41 Alumni Welcome 12 Thursday, May 25, 2017 Honorary Degree Recipients 14 8:30am 45 11:00am 49 The Board of Governors & Senate 16 1:30pm 53 4:00pm 56 Honoring Significant 18 Friday, May 26, 2017 Accomplishments & Contributions 8:30am 60 11:00am 64 Scholarships, Medals & Prizes 19 1:30pm 68 Schedule of Ceremonies 23 Monday, May 29, 2017 8:30am 72 11:00am 75 1:30pm 78 4:00pm 82 Tuesday, May 30, 2017 8:30am 86 11:00am 90 1:30pm 92 4:00pm 94 Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:30am 97 11:00am 100 1:30pm 103 4:00pm 105 Thursday, June 1, 2017 8:30am 108 11:00am 111 1:30pm 114 Acknowledgements 120 O Canada 120 A General Reception will follow each Ceremony at the Flag Pole Plaza. 1 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 THE GRADUATION JOURNEY The UBC graduation journey has been forged by the spirit of the university’s motto, Tuum Est, (meaning ‘it is yours’) since 1915. Today, you, the graduating class of 2017, now shape UBC’s history by making it your own. 1916 1920s 1940s One of the first graduating classes was The twenties saw the student-led Great The forties were an era of tremendous the Arts Class of 1916 pictured here at a Trek to claim UBC’s Point Grey campus change at the university as both students party at the home of Mary Wilons. In and establish the university as a place of and faculty embraced the war effort. UBC’s first year, there were only three mind for students the world over. The In 1943, new President Norman Mackenzie faculties: Arts, Applied Science and AMS incorporated as a non-profit society began in earnest to expand the university Agriculture with 379 registered students and the university began awarding its and new departments were formed and 34 faculty members. first graduate degrees to students. In the along with new buildings to house them Ubyssey, published in September 23, 1925, including Brock Hall, the first student students described the new campus with union building. By the 1950’s, UBC had a sense of wonder: “We are dazed with the established itself as a comprehensive appearance of architectural cleanliness university and top choice for students in and bewildered by our lineal freedom.” BC and beyond. 2 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 1960s 1980s 2017 Student numbers continued to escalate With over 34,000 students registered at Close to 13,000 students will become alongside the scholarly activities the beginning of the eighties, UBC began the Class of 2017. They will go on to that began to define UBC as a leader in attracting scholars from all over the world. join the over 325,000 alumni who have research. The campus was alive with Engineering students were in the news successfully graduated from UBC and sixties counterculture and a sixth frequently for their pranks, which included continue their journey as treasured president of UBC was elected by the the famous Ladner Clock Tower stunt in members of the UBC community. name of Dr. Walter Gage. New student which students pulled off hoisting a white residences were created to respond Volkswagen Bug onto the top of the tower. to the expanding student body as well as Dr. Martha Piper was elected President in a new student union building. Students 1997 and ushered in an era of international gain influence at the university and engagement that saw UBC step onto are elected to the University Board of the world stage as an educator and global Governors for the first time. centre for research excellence. 3 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 GRADUATION TRADITIONS 4 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 The University Mace is a symbol of the authority of the Chancellor. It is displayed on ceremonial occasions, most notably during the congregation ceremonies but also during the Installation of a President or Chancellor. THE UNIVERSITY MACE REGALIA COLOURS In the fall of 1957, the University The hoods, gowns and hats worn com missioned Haida carver Bill Reid to by graduates are lined with colours to undertake the project. Owing to Reid’s indicate the degree to be conferred, a heavy workload, he suggested that George tradition dating back to the Middle Ages Norris be asked to help design and carve when the first universities were founded. the Mace. The planning of the Mace took some time and a final design was GRAD CLASS LEGACY not approved until 1959. UBC students have created a rich Norris carved the Mace from a block of legacy of gifts and donations to the UBC yew and it included a stylized thunderbird Vancouver campus. Since 1919, the on the thick upper portion. The Mace graduating class has held a Tree Planting also featured the use of copper that was Ceremony on campus. prominent in Northwest Coast native art. The 2017 Grad Class tree is a London This copper trimming was designed and Plane Tree (Platanus acerifolia), located at prepared by Bill Reid. Norris completed the Northwest corner of East Mall and the Mace in 1959 and it was first used at University Boulevard. the Fall Congregation where the Director of Ceremonies, Malcolm McGregor, The tradition of the Grad Class Gift carried it for the first time. to the University began in 1926 with the presentation of a trophy case designed Today the Mace is carried by the to house athletic and literary awards. ‘Macebearer’ who leads the Platform Since that time, each successive Party, which includes the Chancellor, graduating class has chosen a gift or the President, and other dignitaries, series of gifts to enhance the campus. onto the stage for the Congregation ceremonies. The 2017 Grad Class gift is a commissioned wood and metal sculpture entitled THE PROCESSION “Thunderbird in Motion.” Inspired by students’ energy and the collection of Chancellor Lindsay Gordon shakes knowledge, this art piece by the indigenous the hand of every student that crosses artist Connie Watts is valued at $10,000 the stage—that’s over 10,000 students dollars and will be located in the AMS Nest. each year. This handshake signifies the transition between student and graduate. 5 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 CHANCELLOR’S WELCOME Here it is at last–your convocation day. I am indeed honoured to take part in As a result, you will invariably encounter your celebration, and to congratulate you new circumstances and unanticipated and those who have supported you opportunities, and you may well be on what I hope has been a fulfilling and tempted to pursue an entirely new transformational journey. direction tomorrow than what you may be contemplating today. It is therefore I also wish to welcome you as the newest essential to listen to your heart and members of the UBC Alumni Association, mind. Remain curious, open-minded and at a particularly significant juncture and flexible as the journey unfolds. in its history. It was exactly 100 years ago —May 4, 1917 to be precise—that a group At the same time, ensure that you play of students who shared a passionate your part in helping to build a diverse, interest in the future of their university inclusive and better community. Under- came together to create the Alumni stand the challenges that we face, and the Association. obligations that we make to one another in a civil society, and not only to our With the spirit of those students in mind, neighbours at home but to strangers from my message to you a century later is afar. Above all, seek evidence-supported simply this: Irrespective of what pursuits truth and human compassion over you undertake in the future, ensure they uninformed opinion and misplaced fear. are activities in which you can maintain a passionate interest. But as you do, remain One final thought—graduation should sharply aware of the perpetual changes never mean goodbye. As alumni, I in the world around you. The spectrum of sincerely hope you will remain connected knowledge is vastly wider, and the in some way to your university. Please influencers of change—social, cultural, take advantage of the many opportunities economic and technological—are far to be active and engaged members of more complex than ever before. our alumni community, which has grown from just 40 members a century ago to over 325,000 today. On behalf of all of them, I extend my very best wishes on this most joyous occasion. — lindsay gordon, ba‘73, mba‘76 6 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 7 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 PRESIDENT’S WELCOME 8 SPRING CONGREGATION 2017 Congratulations! Graduation is a momentous day in your life. It is a time to look back at all you’ve accomplished and a time to look ahead to what’s next.