CHANCELLOR'S WELCOME On behalf of Simon Fraser University, it is my honour to welcome you to our June 2011 Convocation Ceremony. Simon Fraser University is proudly different. In fact, an important part of the vision for this University has always been about being different in ways that mattered, ways that would benefit our students, our faculty and the conmmnities we serve. Since we first opened on September 9th, 1965 with 2, 500 students, Simon Fraser University has been building the traditions and reputation that define us. Our university has stayed true to the core philosophy and values upon which it was built. We are proud of our reputation for intellectual and academic freedom and our unfaltering commitment to academic innovation and lifelong learning. It is our willingness to be different that sets us apart as innovators and mavericks. Through innovative teaching, research and conununity outreach, we continue to foster discovery, diversity and dialogue. Convocation celebrates an important milestone for our students, their families, teachers and friends. In selecting Simon Fraser University, our students chose an education that inspires open-minded, adaptable and resilient lifelong learning. We honour our students for their achievements and commitment and wish them every success in realizing their unique individual potential within their chosen communities, professions and industries. Brandt C. Louie Chancellor PRESIDENT'S WELCOME Convocation marks an important milestone in your life. I join vvith others in offering you my warm congratulations on this extraordinary achievement. In addition, I would like to express my thanks to members of your family and all others who made it possible for you to pursue your studies at Simon Fraser University. They believed in you, they supported you, and they share in your pride. This is also an important day of accomplishment for them. Our convocation ceremony is unique to Simon Fraser, but is built upon imagery and symbolism that reflects the mediaeval origins of our University's inheritance. Led in academic procession by the stirring sound of our six-time World Champion SFU Pipe Band, the robed graduands pass two-by-two into Convocation Mall, accompanied by faculty and dignitaries in their colourful regalia. It is a special moment in a magnificent setting to be remembered for years to come. At SFU, almost 80 percent of our graduating classes take part in the ceremony. Few other Canadian universities can boast this record of attendance, which reflects the spirit of our institution and its students. Thank you for joining us for this very special event in your life and in the life of your University. Andrew Petter President and Vice-Chancellor 3- ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOME As President of the Alumni Association, it is my privilege to congratulate you on achieving your goal of a university education. We know how hard you have worked to reach this milestone, and we applaud your success. We are proud to welcome you as a member of the Association, a dynamic and diverse community of over 110, 000 alumni living in 130 countries worldwide. At Convocation a fellow graduate will present you with an alumni pin as a gift from the Association. Wear it proudly as a symbol of your status and your academic achievements. \Vherever life takes you in the years ahead, the Alumni Association will be here to help you stay connected to each other and to SFU. Our staff and volunteers work hard on your behalf to provide commtmications, events, benefits and services that add value to your lives. Be sure to register for your alumni email forwarding address, and you will always stay updated on your membership benefits. Additionally, please join our online networks on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln and, coming soon, our new SFU Alumni Online Directory. We have also partnered with Lands' End to offer hundreds ofSFU alumni-branded items. Learn more in the alumni benefits brochure enclosed with your parchment, or visit the alumni website ;1t www.sfu.ca/alumni. In addition to your new credentials, we hope you carry with you many good memories, dose relationships, and inspiring and empowering ideas. Like any community, we take pride in learning about the accomplishments of members. Stay connected, attend our many alumni networking events such as the SFU Alumni Day of Service, and let us know how you're using your SFU education to make a difference in the world. We wish you all the best as you begin your lives as SFU alumni. Congratulations! Bernie Maroney (MBA 2006). President, Alunmi Association CONTENTS Our tradition History and Symbols of Simon Fraser University .................................................... 5 Regalia .................................................................................................................. 6 Convocation Ceremonies Tuesday afternoon, Beedie School ofBusiness ........................................................ 8 The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, will be conferred on George Cohon Wednesday morning, Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology and Faculty of Science ................................................................................................ 17 The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, will be conferred on Sarah McLachlan Wednesday afternoon, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences .................................... 27 The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, will be conferred on Robert Thirsk Thursday morning, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ........................................ 32 The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, will be conferred on Ray Spaxman Thursday afternoon, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ...................................... 37 The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, will be conferred on Brian Williams Friday morning, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Faculty of Enviromnent ............ 43 The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, will be conferred on Pavel Pevzner Friday afternoon, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Health Sciences ................ 48 Dr Carole Taylor will take the pledge of office in the installation ceremony to become the University's next Chancellor 4- OUR TRADITION HISTORY The University is named after Simon Fraser, Loyalist, fur-trader and explorer, who in 1808 completed one of the greatest journeys in the annals of Canadian history by descending the mighty river which today bears his name. In January 1963 a report recommended the creation of a new university in the Lower Mainland-two months later the establishment of Simon Fraser University received formal assent in the British Columbia Legislature, and Dr Gordon M. Shrum was appointed the first Chancellor. From a variety of sites, the Chancellor recommended the top of 1200 foot high Burnaby Mount<1in, with its magnificent views ofBurrard Inlet, the Coast Mountains, the Fraser River, and Vancouver harbour. The Vancouver firm of Erickson/Massey won the design competition, but the four runner-up architects each designed at least one building within the overall plan. Construction began in the spring of 1964 and eighteen months later, on September 9, 1965, Simon Fraser University opened to 2, 500 charter students. Since then the University has grown substantially, with the establishment ofSFU Vancouver in 1980, and the establishment of SFU Surrey in 2002. SFU's Vancouver campus offers programs and services directed to mid-career intellectual and professional growth. With several striking downtown bnildings, the campus currently serves over 70, 000 people annually. In 2010 the School for the Contemporary Arts moved its Burnaby programs to the Vancouver campus, occupying a new facility on the redeveloped Woodward's site. SFU's Surrey campus promotes student success with a learning environment based on innovative teaching approaches, small class sizes, and a vibrant research community. SFU's newest campus occupies a stunning facility designed by renowned architect Bing Thom, officially opened in September 2006. SYMBOLS OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY The original Coat ofArms was granted to the University in 1965 by the Lord Lyon, King ofArms, in Edinburgh. The 1965 arms were registered in Canada in 2007 and are now attached to the Office of the Chancellor. In 2007, the Canadian Heraldic Authority granted a modification of the Coat of Arms at the request of the University. The arms are based on the arms of Fraser of Lovat, from whom the University's namesake was descended via the Frasers of Culbokie. The blue quarters with white "fraises" i.e., strawberry flowers (a pun on the name Fraser) are the basic Fraser arms, while the white quarters with red crowns are those ofLovat. There are three books at the top of the shield, representing education. The heraldic description of the arms is; "Quarterly; first and fourth Azure three fraises Argent; second and third Argent three antique crowns Gnles, all within a bordure quarterly Argent and Gules, on a chief Gules three open books proper, bound and edged Or." The University's motto Nous sommes prets, meaning "We are ready", is a variation of the traditional motto of the Clan Fraser. The mace was commissioned by University ;irchitects Erickson and Massey, and was presented to the University at the opening ceremonies on September 9, 1965. The mace is 61 inches long and weighs 23 pounds. Pieces of cut and polished jade, which were taken from the University's jade boulder in the Academic Quadrangle reflecting pool, were set in silver by its designer, Haida artist Bill Reid. The mace is crowned by a silver stag's head, derived from the coat-of-arms of Lord Lovat, head of the Clan Fraser. The Fraser tradition was to fasten sprigs of yew in their bonnets before entering battle, and the mace was carved from two hundred-year-old yew, gathered on Burnaby Mountain by a resident in the 1940s. 5- Lord Lovat presented the University with a claymore, or great sword, on September 9, PARTICIPANTS 1965. The claymore was first used by a Fraser at the Battle of Culloden Moor in 1746. It Chief Marshal was also used by a Fraser at the Battle of the Plains ofAbraham in 17 59. The claymore is Dr Paul Budra approximately 36 inches long and weighs two pounds.