Convocation Fall 2020
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CONVOCATION FALL 2020 NOVEMBER 20 QUAECUMQUE VERA WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE CONVOCATION CONTENTS 2 Greetings to the Graduates 3 Convocation Speakers 4 Order of Online Convocation 4 Conferring of Degrees 5 Our Graduates 5 Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences 6 Arts 8 Augustana 8 Business 9 Centre Collégial de L'Alberta Campus Saint-Jean 9 Education 11 Engineering 14 Extension 14 Faculté Saint-Jean 14 Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation 14 Law 15 Medicine & Dentistry 15 Native Studies 15 Nursing 16 Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 16 Public Health 17 Rehabilitation Medicine 17 Science 20 Certificates 21 Je te retrouve — I Remember You ON THE FRONT COVER THE UNIVERSITY COAT OF ARMS In June 1994, His Excellency the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Governor General of Canada, presented the University of Alberta with its Coat of Arms. The full Coat of Arms is displayed at ceremonial occasions such as Convocation, and is used by the Chancellor, the titular head of the University. On the shield is a representation of the topography of Alberta rendered in the colours of the University. At the base is a prairie wheat field symbolizing Alberta’s agricultural industry. The wavy gold line above suggests the hills and rivers of Alberta and, in particular, the setting of the University campus. The top of the shield is in gold and separated from the rest of the shield by a line suggesting the Rocky Mountains. The book of learning dominates the design. On the crest is a Grand-Duc d’Amérique, or Great Horned Owl, the provincial bird and an accepted symbol of knowledge. The pronghorn, taken from the Provincial Coat of Arms, and the golden bear, mascot of the University, support the shield. Both wear collars of the University colours, as does the owl. At the base of the Coat of Arms is a grassy mound with wild roses, the floral emblem of Alberta with the University’s motto: Quaecumque Vera (Whatsoever things are true). The list of candidates for degrees, diplomas, and certificates appearing herein is subject to such corrections, with respect to additions, deletions, and changes, as may be necessary. The information presented is current as of the program printing deadline. FALL CONVOCATION 2020 1 GREETINGS TO THE GRADUATES Congratulations! Congratulations, Class of 2020! On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I am I truly wish I could meet with all of you to At this critical milestone, you are facing a pleased to send greetings to the University of share this moment of celebration. To see different world than any other class in memory. Alberta Fall 2020 Convocation. the excitement on your faces, to shake your Although we are not able to gather together to This year’s unique virtual ceremony is a sign hands (or just do a high five), and honour you celebrate in person, that does not minimize the of our times. The unprecedented public health with your degrees in person. But that simply accomplishment you have reached. and economic challenges the world is facing isn’t possible this year. As you reflect on your path to this moment, call for resilience, innovation and creativity — In spite of not being able to celebrate in the you may think back on places and projects, not just in the important gatherings that mark traditional way, there is every reason to and also of people. Whether those people our milestone moments, but in the thinking celebrate in unique and special ways. I hope supported you or pushed you, hold those and action that will help our province, our each of you is finding a special way to safely connections and memories with you as country and people everywhere to navigate celebrate with your friends and family and you join our university's community of over the current crisis and pave a path to recovery. those who have helped you reach your goal 290,000 alumni worldwide. This institution Graduates like you are vital to our success in of graduating from the University of Alberta. was founded on the goal of “uplifting the that endeavour, now and in the years to come. Each of you should feel incredibly proud of whole people”, and these unique times Today, you celebrate the culmination of what you have accomplished in your years at highlight that need. your hard work and begin a new journey. our university. You have spent hours, months, I urge you to take care of yourselves and You should be very proud of what you have and years, listening and learning, digging into one another. Our community is composed of achieved. Your skills and knowledge will help complex issues and topics, thinking critically diverse people with different backgrounds, you build a bright future for yourselves, your about some of the most pressing issues of stories, and needs. The world is no families and your communities. our time, sharing time with your friends and different. Use the skills and intellectual Congratulations and best wishes in all of your colleagues, and preparing for wherever the curiosity developed during your time at the future endeavours. Stay well, next steps in your journey will take you. University of Alberta to approach the world In turn, we are incredibly proud of all of you, with compassion and care, courage and our newest graduates. You bring us hope for thoughtfulness, and passion and boldness. the future. You inspire us with your energy, As a new graduate of the University of enthusiasm, skills, and ideas. Whatever Alberta, you hold the power to change the HON. JASON KENNEY path you choose, I encourage you, above all future. Collectively you will make discoveries, Premier of Alberta else, to understand you can make a positive create art, and impact policies for decades difference in our world. And I can assure you to come. Individually you can start with the that the University of Alberta will be here, people around you and send ripples through cheering you on from the sidelines, as each this city, this province, this country, and the of you pursues your next hopes and dreams. world. I look forward to seeing the results. PEGGY GARRITTY BILL FLANAGAN Chancellor President and Vice-Chancellor 2 UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA CONVOCATION SPEAKERS MICHAEL HOUGHTON, NOBEL LAUREATE Dr. Houghton is a world-renowned scientist, an international leader in viral hepatitis, and the director of The Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute. Dr. Houghton was appointed a full professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry on June 1, 2010. Because of their discovery, new screening tests were developed for blood donations, and by 1992, the virus was virtually eliminated from blood supplies. By 1996, this screening led to an annual reduction in new hepatitis C infections by more than 80 per cent. To prevent the spread of hepatitis C, the world urgently needs a vaccine. In 2012, Houghton and his team here at the University of Alberta developed a vaccine that is now in late pre-clinical stage testing. Based on the discovery of the virus, antiviral therapies have also been developed that will cure 95 per cent of carriers. This is the first chronic viral illness that can be cured. Since the outbreak, Dr. Houghton has been leading an effort to produce a COVID-19 vaccine. He was successful in creating a vaccine for SARS-CoV-1 in 2004; however, this vaccine was never needed as the original SARS disappeared. Dr. Houghton has authored more than 300 research publications and over 70 patents. He has received numerous international prizes for his scientific contributions, including the International Canada Gairdner Award (2013-declined), the Clinical Lasker Award (2000), the Robert Koch Medal (1993) and the Canadian CLF-CASL gold medal (2012). His passion is the application of biomedical research to prevent disease. Dr. Houghton was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in recognition of his discovery of the hepatitis C (HCV) virus. JAMES MAKOKIS, ALUMNUS Dr. James Makokis is Nehiyô (Person of the Four Directions, "Plains Cree") from Onihcikiskwapiwinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) in Northern Alberta. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Sciences from the University of Alberta ('04), a Master of Health Science in Community Nutrition from the University of Toronto ('06), and a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Ottawa ('10). He received certification from the Aboriginal Family Medicine Training Program at the University of British Columbia ('12). Currently he works as a Family Physician at Kehewin Health Services on Kinokamasihk (Kehewin Cree Nation) in northeastern Alberta and in Paul First Nation, west of Edmonton. Dr. Makokis also leads a transgender focused medical practice in south Edmonton and has been featured on the CBC, AJ+, and the Thompson Reuters Foundation for his work in this area. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta, Adjunct Faculty in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, and has taught at Yellowhead Tribal College in Edmonton. In 2019, Dr. Makokis participated alongside his husband as "Team Ahkameyimok" on Season 7 of The Amazing Race Canada and won. They were the first Indigenous Two-Spirit married couple to win the show and were identified as "fan favourites" from the beginning. Alongside their appearances for the show, Dr. Makokis and his husband Anthony Johnson are fundraising to build a Cree cultural healing centre on Kehewin Cree Nation and have fundraised $105k so far with a goal of reaching $250k. Dr. Makokis currently serves on the Board of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute of Indigenous Health at the University of Toronto and the Indigenous Advisory Council at MacEwan University, and is the former Board Chair of the inaugural Indigenous Wisdom Council of Alberta Health Services.