June 2021 Spring Convocation Program
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Convocation 2021 Welcome to Convocation Thank you for joining us for today’s ceremony. We’re so glad to have you with us to cerebrate and honour the class of 2021. If you want to share your support of a special graduate, post a message or photo to #ucalgarygrad, and it will be displayed on the convocation web page during the event. Please enjoy the celebration! We acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Moh’kins’tsis,” which we now call the City of Calgary. Congratulations Class of 2021 Greetings from the Chancellor 2 Greetings from the President 3 Ceremonial Traditions 4 Honouring Exceptional Individuals 5 Degrees Granted 5 Academic Regalia 5 Honorary Degree Recipients 6 Order of the University of Calgary Recipients 7 Ceremony Program 8 Faculties and Graduates Cumming School of Medicine 9 Faculty of Arts 12 Faculty of Kinesiology 20 Faculty of Law 23 Faculty of Nursing 25 Faculty of Science 27 Faculty of Social Work 33 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 36 Haskayne School of Business 38 School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape 43 Schulich School of Engineering 45 Werklund School of Education 54 UCalgary Alumni 58 Thank You 59 Graduates’ Pledge 60 Spring 2021 Convocation 1 Greetings from the Chancellor Dear Graduates, Welcome to your virtual convocation ceremony! This milestone marks a significant step on an educational journey that doesn’t end here. Whether you are moving on to further academic pursuits or launching your career, your time at the University of Calgary will provide a solid foundation for a life of learning and personal achievement. As a member of the Class of 2021, your time here was fractured into two parts — a before and an after. What started as one paradigm — marked by personal connections in classes and extra-curricular activities — became another as the pandemic took hold in March 2020. Classes and other interactions were through the medium of technology — and you were forced to adapt and change to this new world. But growing pains foster personal growth; the person you are today is likely very different than the one who first stepped foot on our campus at the beginning of this journey. While the unforeseen challenges of the last 15 months may have seemed insurmountable, the world of tomorrow is one of opportunity. As a society, we must push boundaries, find solutions to the global challenges of economic and racial inequality and climate change. Each of you, as members of the Class of 2021, will play a part in charting this new path. As you move on to wherever life may take you, remind yourselves of the perseverance that it took for you to get here today. That strength will be carried with you forever, ready to be drawn upon when you’re challenged, when you’re facing the unknown, and when you need to reach just a bit further to achieve your goals. You can do it! Despite the obstacles we face — the obstacles that prevent us from gathering in person today — your achievements are many and you should be very proud. This is a time to celebrate! It’s also a time for optimism and hope. And it’s your moment. You are an extraordinary class of graduates and we’re honoured to officially welcome you to our University of Calgary alumni family. You are among Canada’s best and brightest and we wish you the best of success as you embark on new adventures. Keep learning, keep growing, invest in your future and know you are capable of anything. Deborah Yedlin, BA, MBA, ICD.D Chancellor University of Calgary Spring 2021 Convocation 2 Greetings from the President Dear Graduates, Our University of Calgary community is focused on you today, as we gather virtually to applaud the rewards of your commitment and hard work. You are joining a network of over 191,000 UCalgary alumni who have contributed to their communities and represented our university with distinction. Although our celebrations may look different this year, I couldn’t be prouder to see you attain your university degree. The journey of higher education can be incredibly freeing; these past few years you have delved into new subjects, immersed yourself in experiential learning, contributed to new research insights, and unleashed your intellectual potential. Taking a deeper look and feeding your curiosity in classrooms, labs, athletics and internships has highlighted your talents. Each semester, each educator and each course has shaped you into someone who is more resilient, agile, and focused than you were before. Out in the wider community, the need for highly educated individuals has never been greater. The uncertainty of the past 16 months has taught this graduating cohort to be nimble, composed, courageous and inclusive. Whether the challenge is addressing a public health crisis or climate change or social justice, change can blossom from one person. Building a better world starts with people like you. Stand tall, hold your head high and feel proud. No matter what the future holds, you are prepared to thrive as Canada’s next generation of change-makers, advocates, creators and entrepreneurial thinkers. Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2021! Dr. Edward McCauley, PhD, FRSC President and Vice-Chancellor Graduand or Graduate? What’s the difference? Throughout this program, we use the words graduand and graduate. A graduand is someone who is about to graduate. A graduate is someone who has already done so. Today our students will begin the convocation ceremony as graduands and conclude it as graduates. We are so proud of them all! Spring 2021 Convocation 3 Ceremonial Traditions Our Tartan The University of Calgary’s tartan design is reminiscent of the MacLeod tartans and incorporates the university colours of red and gold. The design was created by James Odell, BEd’76, BFA’83 and was officially recognized by the Scottish Tartans Society in 2001. University of Calgary Mace Our mace is representative of the authority that rests with the Crown. At the university, the authority of the Crown for the granting of degrees is vested in the Chancellor. The mace bearer brandishes the mace to signify the arrival and departure of the Chancellor. The mace is placed in front of the Chancellor for the duration of the ceremony. The University of Calgary mace was a gift from Chancellor Emerita Dr. Muriel Kovitz and Dr. David Kovitz, and was used for the first time at the 1979 November Convocation ceremony. Our mace was crafted by Garrard and Company of London, England — the jewelers responsible for the creation of the crown of the Prince of Wales, the insignia of the British orders and decorations, and the insignia and badges of the Order of Canada. It was designed by Alec Styles and is made of silver. Mace Table In 1991, a white oak table made by Calgary craftsman John Morel was given to the University of Calgary by Chancellor Emeritus Dr. James Palmer and Mrs. Barbara Palmer to hold our ceremonial mace. Coat of Arms Granted to the university in 1966, the formal coat of arms incorporates the university colours of red and gold. Red symbolizes the North West Mounted Police (NWMP), and gold reflects both grain and sunshine — staples of Alberta. Featured in the top section of the shield is the wild rose of Alberta, flanked by two books that signify learning. Separating the sections is an arch, symbolic of Calgary’s famous Chinook arch. The lower section reflects the city’s connection to Lieutenant Colonel James F. MacLeod of the NWMP, who is credited with naming Calgary after Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull in Western Scotland. The crossed staves and black bull’s head are reminiscent of the MacLeod family crest. Under the shield is the escrol bearing our Gaelic motto: mo shùile togam suas, which translates to ‘I will lift up my eyes.’ The University of Calgary Honour Song The Honour Song was gifted to the University of Calgary by Elder Rod Hunter in 2018 to be used as part of the university’s Indigenous Strategy, ii’ taa’poh’to’p, where we commit to shared ethical space, transformation and ongoing renewal. The Honour Song is in the traditional Stoney Nakoda style. Elder Hunter states that most of his songs come to him in his dreams, including this one. He woke up singing the university Honour Song. As implied by the name, it is meant to highlight a spiritual connection to all of creation/Creator and bring honour, respect and tribute to a person, ceremony or an event. University of Calgary Spring 2021 Convocation 4 Honouring Exceptional Individuals Honorary The Order of the Distinguished Degrees University of Calgary Graduate The honorary degree is the University The Order of the University of Calgary Graduands are invited to take the of Calgary’s highest academic honour honours individuals who have made Graduates’ Pledge, stating their and is bestowed upon individuals distinguished and exemplary commitment as alumni to learning, whose notable achievements and contributions to the university above community and representing the community service merit recognition. and beyond the requirements of their university. Leading the pledge is a Honorary degree recipients provide position.