Centennial Congregation Spring
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centennial congregation spring 2016 may 25–27 may 30–june 1 the chan centre for the performing arts In its earliest days, UBC students celebrated graduation in small, but intimate gatherings most notably at the University’s first Congregation where only 40 students celebrated with their families at the Hotel Vancouver in spring of 1916. As the University grew, so did graduation. By mid-century, the Armoury, followed by the War Memorial gym, welcomed graduands and their families by the thousands. When the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts was built in 1997, graduation ceremonies moved into the stunning concert hall, where graduands and their families have celebrated ever since. President Wesbrook and Chancellor McKechnie believed to be at UBC’s first graduation. Congregation procession leaving the Library 1927. centennial congregation spring 2016 may 25–27 may 30–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 2016 Graduating Students Graduation Traditions 6 Wednesday, May 25, 2016 8:30am 30 Chancellor’s Welcome 8 11:00am 34 President’s Welcome 10 1:30pm 37 Musqueam Welcome 12 4:00pm 41 Honorary Degree Recipients 14 Thursday, May 26, 2016 The Board of Governors & Senate 18 8:30am 45 11:00am 49 Honouring Significant 20 1:30pm 53 Accomplishments & Contributions 4:00pm 56 Friday, May 27, 2016 Scholarships, Medals & Prizes 21 8:30am 60 11:00am 63 Schedule of Ceremonies 25 1:30pm 67 4:00pm 70 Monday, May 30, 2016 8:30am 73 11:00am 76 1:30pm 79 4:00pm 83 Tuesday, May 31, 2016 8:30am 87 11:00am 90 1:30pm 93 4:00pm 96 Wednesday, June 1, 2016 8:30am 99 11:00am 102 1:30pm 105 4:00pm 108 Acknowledgements 111 O Canada 111 Alumni Welcome 113 A General Reception will follow each Ceremony at the Flag Pole Plaza. 1 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 THE GRADUATION JOURNEY 2 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 In UBC’s first annual, published 100 years ago in 1916, President Frank F. Wesbrook wrote: “Ours is the task of helping to adjust the rights of the individual to the needs of all, of the obligations of each to the other and to the world. Today’s chosen people are those in training for such tasks. A glorious heritage is ours.” Wesbrook’s aspiration for UBC students is surprisingly still relevant. Our learning environment encourages global citizenship and it is our hope that the graduands of today, having made UBC ‘theirs,’ go on to use their education to change the world for the better. UBC graduands have, with the support of classmates, family and friends, collectively built our shared heritage since 1916. We hope you know how proud we are of your contribution to what we’ve become, and who we will be, for the next 100 years. 3 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 THE GRADUATION JOURNEY “As we move into our second century, please stay in touch. Which ever path you choose to follow, you will always be welcome at UBC, and we hope that you will continue to play a part in the life of this great university. Tuum est! It is yours!” MARTHA C. PIPER, OC OBC LLD’07 PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR 1916 1920s 1940s One of the first graduating classes was The student-led Great Trek to UBC’s Point The forties were an era of tremendous the Arts Class of 1916 pictured here at a Grey established the university’s first change at the university as both students party at the home of Mary Wilons. In campus. The AMS incorporated as a and faculty embraced the war effort. UBC’s first year, there were only three non-profit society and the university In 1943, new President Norman faculties: Arts, Applied Science and began awarding its first graduate degrees MacKenzie began in earnest to expand the Agriculture with 379 registered students to students. In the Ubyssey, published in university and new departments were and 34 faculty members. September 23, 1925, students described formed along with new buildings to house the new campus with a sense of wonder: them including Brock Hall and the first “We are dazed with the appearance of student union building. By the 1950s, UBC architectural cleanliness and bewildered had established itself as a comprehensive by our lineal freedom.” university and top choice for students in BC and beyond. 4 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 1960s 1980s 2016 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 2016. They will go on to that began to define UBC as a leader in attracting scholars from all over the world. join the over 310,000 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 gained influence at the university and engagement that saw UBC step onto were elected to the University Board of the world stage as an educator and global Governors for the first time. centre for research excellence. 5 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 GRADUATION TRADITIONS 6 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 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 com- The hoods, gowns and hats worn 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 legacy Norris carved the Mace from a block of of gifts and donations to the UBC yew and it included a stylized thunderbird Vancouver campus. on the thick upper portion. The Mace Since 1919, the graduating class has held a also featured the use of copper that was Tree Planting Ceremony on campus. prominent in Northwest Coast native art. This copper trimming was designed and The 2016 Grad Class tree is a London prepared by Bill Reid. Norris completed Plane Tree (Platanus acerifolia), located at the Mace in 1959 and it was first used at the Northwest corner of East Mall and the Fall Congregation where the Director University Boulevard. of Ceremonies, Malcolm McGregor, The tradition of the Grad Class Gift to the carried it for the first time. University began in 1926 with the Today the Mace is carried by the presentation of a trophy case designed to ‘Macebearer’ who leads the Platform house athletic and literary awards. Since Party, which includes the Chancellor, that time, each successive graduating the President, and other dignitaries, class has chosen a gift or series of gifts to onto the stage for the Congregation enhance the campus. ceremonies. The 2016 Grad Class is donating just over $20,000 toward the design and installation THE PROCESSION of an outdoor, three-dimensional sign for Chancellor Lindsay Gordon shakes the AMS Student Nest. The sign will be the hand of every student that crosses the housed on the knoll and stand as a point of stage—that’s over 10,000 students each welcome for the thousands of students, year. This handshake signifies the staff, faculty, alumni, and visitors who transition between student and graduate. regularly visit the building. 7 CENTENNIAL CONGREGATION 2016 CHANCELLOR’S WELCOME Here it is at last—your graduation day, and with the added distinction of it occurring at a historic milestone for your university. Exactly 100 years ago UBC held its first invariably encounter new circumstances, Congregation ceremony, at which it and you may well be tempted to pursue an granted degrees to the first 40 graduates. entirely new direction and destiny tomorrow than those you may be They graduated during a turbulent time in contemplating today. The message is human history with a terrible war raging, simply this: remain curious, open-minded but our challenges are no less significant: and flexible as the journey unfolds. climate change, human rights, a mounting refugee crisis, inequality, poverty, food At the same time, ensure that you play security…and yes…conflict, but a very your part in helping to build a diverse, different kind of conflict to that inclusive and better community.