Convocation 2021 Convocation 2021 Presiding Scott Thon Chair, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Board of Governors Dr. David G. Ross President and CEO Executive of SAIT Dr. David G. Ross President and CEO Dr. Brad Donaldson Vice President, Academic Tom Bornhorst Vice President, Corporate Development, Applied Research and International Heather Magotiaux Vice President, External Relations Roy Daykin Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Corporate Services Convocation 2021 | 1 President’s Address Congratulations graduates. You had what was probably a very campus, with restrictions that had become commonplace. Your time at SAIT has been unlike typical year — getting used to attending any other graduating class’ in our classes, making new friends, sports, From all of that, you have gained institution’s 105-year history. clubs, socializing. experience during an unprecedented period in world history. With the onset of COVID-19 in March By fall 2020, you were well into the 2020, our lives changed. For most of new routine of online learning or Think about that. World wars, first man you, exams were just around the corner. coming to class on a much quieter on the moon, 9/11 and as recent as 2 | Southern Alberta Institute of Technology the Me Too movement and Black Lives convey ideas and solve problems. Making the Matter rallies. Some of them so These skills — learned or accelerated President’s List vivid that you will never forget because of the COVID-19 pandemic where you were, what you were — along with your program knowledge Graduates listed in the program doing and who you were with when and training, will serve you well as you with a star beside their names they happened. enter the world of work. have been named to the I remember the day we informed Industry is adapting and, like you, President’s List — an accolade our SAIT community — students those who see the opportunity in change that reflects a perfect grade and employees — that we were closing are excelling. point average (GPA) of 4.0. the campus and would be resuming So, take this opportunity to make All graduates will receive an classes online. Never in my career had I your mark helping our city and alumni pin to signify their ongoing experienced anything of this magnitude. our province rebuild. We are not going connection with SAIT. Those with What most would see as challenges, back to what was — now is the time a 4.0 GPA will receive an alumni you faced head on. You saw opportunity to embrace the future and help build pin emblazoned with a star. in the unconventional. And I believe what’s next. you recognized that your ability to adapt On behalf of your instructors and would become an important skill. everyone at SAIT — we are proud of you. An applied education is about learning Your resilience, maturity and adaptability in real time to ensure you acquire have been outstanding. the skills you need to be immediately We can’t wait to see what you do next. successful in your career and your life. Congratulations Class of 2021 and all Your education has gone beyond labs the best in what's to come. and textbooks. You have learned how to build and maintain relationships when you can’t actually be together. You have figured out how to coordinate a project with colleagues who are in different countries. And you have Dr. David G. Ross leveraged technology to communicate, President and CEO Convocation 2021 | 3 Board Chair’s Address Hello everyone. Organizations, whether they be connected and work is being done for-profit, not-for-profit or governments, from anywhere. These are certainly very interesting are learning new ways to work together. times and a year later, we know very Now, it's not just a Zoom meeting And we’re 10 years ahead of schedule well how the pandemic has forced — we're seeing the traditional pen on these changes. us to adapt. We also know the pandemic and paper of the morning tailboard has accelerated our future. It's brought Although individually we are apart, meeting being augmented by a 2030 into 2021. the world has never been more smartphone or a tablet that has 4 | Southern Alberta Institute of Technology your safety protocols and your daily part of our alumni family. As your work plan you can discuss with your career takes shape, SAIT will be your co-workers. lifelong learning partner, a network for you and a place to celebrate and In our community and province, amplify your successes. there's radical change happening. Our economy is being rebuilt and Be proud of what you have achieved. reshaped right in front of our eyes. Be proud to be a SAIT graduate — it is With increased commodity prices, a great accomplishment. our traditional businesses are Congratulations, graduates. getting back to work. But, also, we're seeing new businesses — businesses that had never given Alberta even a second look — are now very focused on moving their Scott Thon operations into our province. Chair, Southern Alberta So, as you build your career, don't Institute of Technology think of it as a pre-written book. Board of Governors It's certainly not. This is a story for you to write and it's going to require you to be flexible and to be open to what’s possible. Now, the great news is you have a SAIT credential. It's a credential that is not only recognized in Alberta, but across Canada and even internationally. Your credentials will serve you well. And know that SAIT will always be there for you. You're one of us. You're Convocation 2021 | 5 The Elements of Convocation The mace Academic robes The mace symbolizes the authority Along with the academic tradition of black gowns, SAIT graduates wear v-stoles to vested in SAIT to grant academic represent a certificate, diploma or apprenticeship program credential. Graduates in credentials. Designed for the applied degree programs wear black Oxford hoods. Graduates in bachelor’s degree convocation ceremonies, the mace programs wear black Oxford hoods lined in traditional SAIT colours: red, white and masterfully pulls together many blue. The v-stole colour selected for each school signifies academic tradition as well symbolic elements important to as the symbolism identified with that colour. SAIT and the community. The mace represents SAIT’s long history and MacPhail School of Energy School of Information and Royal Purple dedication to setting the standard in Communications Technologies Purple is traditionally associated Turquoise education, training and innovation. with prosperity and also represents Turquoise is often associated with The registrar acts as the mace bearer. the composition of raw materials. heightened communication skills, During the procession, the registrar creativity and sensitivity. carries the mace directly in front School of Business of the board chair and president, Aztec Gold School of Manufacturing representing the protection of these Gold is traditionally associated with and Automation offices. Centuries ago, the mace was commerce and symbolizes wealth California Burgundy a symbol of authority over life and and knowledge. Burgundy is traditionally associated death. Today, it represents the power with prosperity and also represents of knowledge and the importance of School of Construction innovation in the manufacturing of Smoke Blue the SAIT community. new products. Blue symbolizes peace, calmness and strength. School of Transportation Steel Grey School of Health and Public Safety Grey symbolizes discipline and Emerald Green stability and often carries a sense Green is traditionally associated with of strength and formality. health as it symbolizes wellness, growth and healing. School of Hospitality and Tourism Olympic Red Red is associated with passion, energy and creative endeavours. Let’s get social — #SAIT2021 @SAITAlumni Share your success, SAIT pride and convocation memories with #SAIT2021 and your post may be shared by SAIT or SAIT Alumni on our SAIT Alumni social channels. @saitalumni Stay connected with your SAIT alumni family for the latest alumni news, contests, perks and events: #SAITalumni Southern Alberta Institute of Technology 6 | Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Coat of Arms SYMBOLISM OF THE ARMORIAL BEARINGS OF THE SOUTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CALGARY, ALBERTA AS GRANTED BY CLAIRE BOURDREAU, CHIEF HERALD OF CANADA, ON 20 AUGUST 2009 AND ENTERED IN VOLUME V, PAGE 465 OF THE PUBLIC REGISTER OF ARMS, FLAGS AND BADGES OF CANADA. Original concept by Darrell Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Painter: Gordon Macpherson Calligrapher: Doris Wionzek Crest Motto Supporters The wreath is composed of the school Meaning “I take in hand and educate,” The winged dragon is an emblem of both colours of red and blue. The open book this evokes not only a school’s the knowledge to be acquired and of calls students to come and learn, and viewpoint towards each student, alchemy, the process of changing base represents past accomplishments and but also a student’s responsibility metal into valued gold or more broadly unwritten future. The wolf in Indigenous towards oneself. making a miraculous transformation. The symbolism characterizes a teacher. coronets containing the floral symbol of wisdom, the hazelnut, symbolize Arms the idea of wisdom taming ignorance, represented here by the dragon. In the The lightning flash represents the school colours, the dragons allude to electrical energy produced by a dynamo, Heritage Hall, the building that features which is a symbol of technology in a dragons as an architectural display and broad sense. It also represents the which has housed so many programs energy applied by students. The wings in the history of the Southern Alberta symbolize the flights of practical Institute of Technology. In addition, the imagination and elevated mind that wings recall the one-time use of the turn ideas into results.