Fall Congregation 2019 | the University of British Columbia
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fall congregation 2019 november 27–29 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 Fall 2019 Graduating Students Graduation Traditions 4 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Chancellor’s Welcome 6 9:30am 21 President’s Welcome 8 12:30pm 24 Musqueam Welcome 10 3:00pm 29 The Board of Governors & Senate 12 Thursday, November 28, 2019 9:30am 33 Honoring Significant 14 12:30pm 38 Accomplishments & Contributions 3:00pm 42 Scholarships, Medals & Prizes 15 Friday, November 29, 2019 9:00am 45 Schedule of Ceremonies 17 11:30am 49 Acknowledgements 55 O Canada 56 Alumni Welcome 57 A General Reception will follow each Ceremony at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. 1 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 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 2019, 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 faculties: Arts, Applied Science and AMS incorporated as a non-profit society MacKenzie began in earnest to expand Agriculture with 379 registered students and the university began awarding its the university and new departments and 34 faculty members. first graduate degrees to students. In the were formed along with new buildings Ubyssey, published in September 23, 1925, to house them including Brock Hall, students described the new campus with the first student union building. By the a sense of wonder: “We are dazed with the 1950’s, UBC had established itself appearance of architectural cleanliness as a comprehensive university and top and bewildered by our lineal freedom.” choice for students in BC and beyond. 2 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 1960s 1980s 2019 Student numbers continued to escalate With over 34,000 students registered at Close to 13,500 students will become alongside the scholarly activities the beginning of the eighties, UBC began the Class of 2019. They will go on to that began to define UBC as a leader in attracting scholars from all over the world. join the over 350,000 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 This year, we celebrate the centenary residences were created to respond Volkswagen Bug onto the top of the tower. graduating class of the School of Nursing. to the expanding student body as well as Dr. Martha Piper was elected President in One hundred years ago, the School of a new student union building. Students 1997 and ushered in an era of international Nursing joined the Faculty of Applied gain influence at the university and engagement that saw UBC step onto Science as the first baccalaureate degree are elected to the University Board of the world stage as an educator and global program in nursing—not just in Canada, Governors for the first time. centre for research excellence. but across the British Commonwealth. The school continues to be a leader in nursing education and scholarship. 3 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 GRADUATION TRADITIONS 4 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 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 GRAD CLASS LEGACY In the fall of 1957, the University UBC students have created a rich com missioned Haida carver Bill Reid to legacy of gifts and donations to the UBC undertake the project. Owing to Reid’s Vancouver campus. Since 1919, the heavy workload, he suggested that George graduating class has held a tree planting Norris be asked to help design and carve ceremony on campus. the Mace. The planning of the Mace The 2019 Grad Class Tree is a London took some time and a final design was Plane tree (Platanus acerifolia), located not approved until 1959. at the Northwest corner of East Mall Norris carved the Mace from a block of and University Boulevard. yew and it included a stylized thunderbird The tradition of the Grad Class Gift on the thick upper portion. The Mace to the University began in 1926 with the also featured the use of copper that was presentation of a trophy case designed prominent in Northwest Coast native art. to house athletic and literary awards. This copper trimming was designed and Since that time, each successive prepared by Bill Reid. Norris completed graduating class has chosen a gift or the Mace in 1959 and it was first used at series of gifts to enhance the campus. the Fall Congregation where the Director of Ceremonies, Malcolm McGregor, The 2019 Grad Class Gifts are: carried it for the first time. • A $5,000 donation to the AMS Food Bank Today the Mace is carried by the to fund Summer 2019 operations; ‘Macebearer’ who leads the Platform • a $2,500 donation to the AMS Food Party, which includes the Chancellor, Bank to be used for the sole purpose of the President, and other dignitaries, starting a hygiene products fund; onto the stage for the Congregation ceremonies. • $5,000 to the Indigenous Committee to be used for capital improvement projects; REGALIA COLOURS • $5,000 to be allocated to the The hoods, gowns and hats worn revitalization of the Goddess of by graduates are lined with colours to Democracy and a Tiananmen Square indicate the degree to be conferred, 30-year recognition ceremony. a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages when the first universities were founded. 5 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 CHANCELLOR’S WELCOME On behalf of all UBC alumni, it is my pleasure to welcome graduates and your families and friends on what we hope is a joyful occasion. No doubt you have been asked: “What But some choices should never be altered, will you do after university?” Some of you irrespective of what fate has in store for have made clear choices about what us. Chief among these are the principles comes next. Others may be less certain, by which we choose to live. Indeed, but as graduates of UBC, you are ours is a world rich in information and justifiably optimistic that compelling opportunity, but it is also a world that has opportunities are just around the corner. grown increasingly complex, and one whose destiny will be shaped by important There appears to be consensus among choices on the part of all of us. writers and philosophers—and parents— that it is choice rather than fate which As alumni of UBC, I hope we are all determines where the human journey uniformly proud of our university’s leads. Perhaps Ralph Waldo Emerson said reputation for adhering to principles of it most succinctly: “The only person mutual respect, equity and sustainability, you are destined to become is the person and that these remain our own chosen you decide to be.” principles at every juncture on the road ahead. Let us never lose sight of how But as you embark on the next leg of our actions affect the natural world, nor your journey, I encourage you to be aware of the necessity of respectful and mutually that the learning process is still young. beneficial engagement with people Throughout our lives we make discoveries of all cultures, including the Indigenous that stimulate new interests and new peoples of Canada. ambitions. Such is the wonderment of fate—it is often a welcome stimulus that As graduates of one of the world’s finest opens our eyes to previously unforeseen universities, it is incumbent upon all of us opportunities for success and fulfillment, to be unwavering in our choices to be even on the part of those who are contributors to a just, compassionate and confident in the choices they have already sustainable world. As for fate, have no made about the future. fear. The journey has only just begun, and there is every chance that the unforeseen will be extraordinary! Warmest congratulations to all. — lindsay gordon, ba‘73, mba‘76 Chancellor 6 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 7 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 PRESIDENT’S WELCOME 8 FALL CONGREGATION 2019 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.