ii Vancouver Island University GRADUATION CONVOCATION CEREMONIES J a n ua r y 29 a n d 30 • 2 0 1 5 Vancouver Island University’s motto, Discoveries in Education, was adopted in 1969 when the institution, known then as Malaspina College, was first inaugurated. Recalling Captain Alejandro Malaspina, who explored the Vancouver Island region in the 18th century, VIU’s Coat of Arms pays tribute to exploration by depicting a Spanish barque under full sail. The motto also creates a link with one of Captain Malaspina’s ships - the Descubierta - which means Discovery. The Coat of Arms is displayed proudly onstage during the graduation convocation ceremonies in which VIU acknowledges the achievements, successes, exploration, and CONVOCATION PROGRAMdiscovery | ofJANUARY each graduating 29 & 30, 2015student. 1 Message from the Chancellor I honour the Coast Salish peoples on whose ancestral lands this great University does its work. I also honour and congratulate the VIU graduates of January 2015, and recognize the work it has taken for you to reach this point in your lives – it’s quite an achievement! Graduates, you are leaving the University in a time of great change and a time of great opportunity. Events and changes happening in the world, and to Mother Earth, are causing us to make a collective shift of consciousness, from seeing the world through the lens of self to understanding that we are all connected. Compassion is needed so that we can co-operate with each other to address the serious issues facing our world today. Your education at VIU has given you the skills and abilities to embrace this challenge, with confidence and optimism. I hope that you will seek out the opportunity to put your education to work to contribute to the new story of reconciliation that is unfolding in our relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Outdated colonial doctrines are being challenged, inspired by new ways of living together. Your VIU education has prepared you to be a part of this story. It has introduced you to valuing different perspectives, cultures and worldviews; it has also exposed you to ancient Snuneymuxw laws and legal orders, which are entwined in ceremony. Take your VIU experiences and contribute to creating a more just and peaceful society that promotes unity by celebrating diversity. I would also like to take a moment to remember and appreciate all who have made this possible, especially your friends and families – their love and dreams for you have encouraged you to achieve your educational goals. I extend our gratitude to Dr. Ralph Nilson, the Board and Senate for their inspiring dream of a multi-cultural learning environment; removing barriers to education through programs such as the Tuition Waiver for Youth in Care; welcoming international students; establishing a Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties and Reconciliation and a Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue; and pursuing academic excellence. They have designed a path so that our talents and diverse ways of understanding the world can make important contributions to our collective future. VIU's partners in education, community leaders, alumni, donors and colleagues around the world have created capacity and connection through positive collaborations. Graduates, know that the world changes one person at a time, but that change becomes increasingly easier the more there are who change. You are the change – each one of you. Use the gift of education you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. Now, leave here and change the course of history. Louise Mandell, Q.C. Chancellor 2 CONVOCATION PROGRAM | JANUARY 29 & 30, 2015 Message from the President Congratulations Vancouver Island University (VIU) graduates, class of 2015. Today represents a significant milestone in your lives, one I am sure you will remember for a lifetime. This is a day of celebration. We are immensely proud of your accomplishment, and I want to personally thank you for choosing VIU to pursue your post-secondary education. At VIU, our goal was to challenge you with new ideas and different perspectives, and help you discover new ways of thinking and knowing as you have engaged with faculty, fellow students and other members of the University community. During your time at VIU, we hope you have taken full advantage of opportunities to interact with others who have caused you to reassess your own views. Your exposure to many modes of instruction and the variety of relationships you have developed will serve you well as you continue to grow, learn and contribute to your communities and to the world. I encourage each of you to cherish the relationships you have developed and build on the networks you have established. Today, as you graduate, you become VIU alumni. You will forever be a part of the Vancouver Island University family, a dynamic group of more than 45,000 alumni around the world. I sincerely hope you will stay connected to VIU and to your peers through our Alumni Association, and that you will find ways to give back. Our global network of alumni will continue to support, encourage and inspire you throughout your life. I would like to thank families and friends of our VIU graduates. Your support and commitment have helped ensure our students’ success in achieving their educational goals. Finally, graduates, I want you to remember that your newly minted degree, diploma or certificate is a stepping stone to new, exciting possibilities. All of us at VIU, faculty, staff and current students look forward to watching you, as alumni, grow, develop, engage in your communities, invest in your careers and explore the many adventures in life that await you. Embrace these opportunities and know that we are cheering you on. On behalf of the Board of Governors, the Senate, faculty and staff, and our educational partners, congratulations. You have made us proud. Sincerely, Dr. Ralph Nilson President and Vice-Chancellor CONVOCATION PROGRAM | JANUARY 29 & 30, 2015 3 Thursday, January 29, 2015 | 2:30 pm academic procession Dr. Keith Harrison, Macebearer snuneymuxw welcome O Canada Sarah Wood, Pianist, and Rachel Lamb, Vocalist Master of Ceremonies Welcome Fred Jacklin, Registrar Installation of Louise Mandell as Chancellor Allan Wiekenkamp, Chair, Board of Governors Greetings from Vancouver Island University Dr. Ralph Nilson, President and Vice-Chancellor Presentation of Honorary Doctor of Laws Her Excellency Sharon Johnston – presented by Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo Presentation of Honorary Doctor of Laws His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada – presented by Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo Greetings from University of Hertfordshire Alan Delliston, Head of UK and International Collaborations, Hertfordshire Business School Welcome to Alumni Erin Brook, Vice-President, Alumni Association Valedictory Address Hytham Waheed Abdulhameed, Bachelor of Business Administration Graduate Candidate Oath Louise Mandell, Chancellor Presentation of Graduates Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Dr. Ross MacKay, Dean Faculty of Management – Dr. Dave Twynam, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences – Dr. John Black, Dean Recession Reception to follow at the Coast Bastion Hotel Ballroom 4 This program was prepared a week before Convocation and therefore may not be complete. Friday, January 30, 2015 | 2:30 pm Academic Procession Wayne Hiles, Macebearer Vice Regal Salute Snuneymuxw Welcome O Canada Sarah Wood, Pianist, and Rachel Lamb, Vocalist Remarks by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia The Honourable Judith Guichon Master of Ceremonies Welcome Fred Jacklin, Registrar Greetings from Vancouver Island University Dr. Ralph Nilson, President and Vice-Chancellor Presentation of Honorary Doctor of Science Crawford S. "Buzz" Holling, PhD, OC – presented by Liz Gillis Welcome to Alumni Erin Brook, Vice-President, Alumni Association Valedictory Address Abdelrahman Aziz H. Alenazi, Bachelor of Science Graduate Candidate Oath Louise Mandell, Chancellor Presentation of Graduates Faculty of Education – Dr. Harry Janzen, Dean Faculty of Health and Human Services – Dr. Carol Stuart, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology – Dr. Donald Noakes, Dean Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology – Guy Ellis, Dean Recession Reception to follow at the Coast Bastion Hotel Ballroom This program was prepared a week before Convocation and therefore may not be complete. 5 Special Presentations Louise Mandell, Q.C., Faculty of Law as one of the two outstanding alumni from LL.D. (hon.), Q.C., LL.D. each decade. (hon.) She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1997 and, in 2001, Louise Mandell Q.C., one of was awarded the Georges Goyer Q.C. Memorial Award for Canada’s foremost Aboriginal rights exceptional contribution to the development of Aboriginal lawyers and a tireless advocate and Treaty Rights jurisprudence across the country. In 2013, for Canada’s First Nations, is the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs recognized and honoured her Vancouver Island University’s by creating The Louise Mandell Legal Research Collection. second chancellor. Passionate about education, Mandell uses her skills as a In 1983, Mandell was one of the founding partners of public speaker at workshops and forums and also as a Mandell Pinder, a law firm specializing in Aboriginal and writer to pass on her knowledge and expertise of the law as treaty rights law. She is still connected to the firm in the it relates to the rights of Canada’s Aboriginal people. esteemed capacity of Partner Emeritus. Mandell embodies many of VIU’s values through her work Mandell received a Degree in Education at UBC before with First Nations communities, and also recognizes the graduating from Law School, and was selected by the UBC important role education plays in the reconciliation of Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Honorary Degrees The awarding of honorary doctorates is intended to 2015 Honorary Doctor encourage a standard of excellence and innovation which of Laws is exemplary to students, faculty and staff, and to society – His Excellency the in general.